Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
146. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 14 and 15 of 28 February 2024, the month of each expenditure in relation to orbiter 3 unmanned air systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13172/24]
View answerIn my response to the earlier Parliamentary Questions Nos. 14 and 15 of 28 February 2024, I outlined that 4 Orbiter UAV Systems were procured between 2007 and 2009 from Aeronautics Defense Systems Ltd, following a competitive tender process. An upgrade of the Defence Forces UAV systems was carried out by Aeronautic Defense Systems as the original equipment manufacturer, commencing in 2016. This involved the upgrade of 4 UAV systems, with 3 airframes in each system. Ongoing expenditure since this upgrade relates to annual support, spares, repairs & training in respect of the Defence Forces existing fleet of unarmed UAV.
Expenditure incurred to date relates to the Orbiter 1, 2, and 2B models, with the Orbiter 2B currently in service. The platform is planned to continue in service until it reaches end of life, at which stage a replacement will be considered in the context of Defence Forces capability development and available funding, against the backdrop of the overall Equipment Development Plan process and in line with public procurement procedures.
A table setting out payments to Aeronautic Defence Systems in respect of Orbiter UAV systems was provided in response to the previous PQs referenced above. While this list covered all payments to Aeronautics on an annual basis in respect of UAV systems bought since 2007, I wish to clarify for the Deputy that the Orbiter 3 model has never been purchased for the Defence Forces.
A monthly breakdown of the expenditure incurred since 2007 on the Orbiter 1, 2 and 2B models is being collated, and I will arrange for this to be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
|
YEAR |
MONTH |
Description |
Value ex VAT |
|
YEAR |
MONTH |
Description |
Value ex VAT |
|
2007 |
MAY |
UAV Systems and Consumables |
€643,083.00 |
|
2009 |
FEB |
UAV Upgrade |
€3,160.00 |
|
2009 |
MAR |
UAV Consumables |
€148,856.00 |
|
2009 |
APRIL |
UAV Repairs |
€2,500.00 |
|
2009 |
JUNE |
UAV Repairs |
€25,050.00 |
|
2009 |
JUNE |
UAV Consumables |
€9,299.88 |
|
2009 |
JULY |
UAV Repairs |
€5,500.00 |
|
2009 |
OCT |
UAV Replacements |
€99,177.00 |
|
2009 |
DEC |
UAV Upgrade and Consumables |
€1,427,793.00 |
|
2010 |
JAN |
UAV Consumables |
€7,390.00 |
|
2010 |
APRIL |
UAV Repairs |
€13,700.00 |
|
2010 |
JUNE |
UAV Repairs |
€5,800.00 |
|
2010 |
JULY |
UAV Maintenance Contract |
€92,120.00 |
|
2010 |
SEPT |
UAV Repairs |
€8,000.00 |
|
2010 |
NOV |
UAV Repairs |
€5,700.00 |
|
2010 |
NOV |
UAV Repairs |
€15,000.00 |
|
2011 |
MAY |
UAV Maintenance Contract |
€155,000.00 |
|
2011 |
JUNE |
UAV Consumables |
€16,668.00 |
|
2011 |
JULY |
UAV Repairs |
€5,600.00 |
|
2011 |
JULY |
UAV Repairs |
€7,700.00 |
|
2011 |
JULY |
UAV Consumables |
€23,200.00 |
|
2012 |
FEB |
UAV Repairs |
€550.00 |
|
2012 |
MAY |
UAV Consumables |
€23,200.00 |
|
2012 |
JUNE |
UAV Maintenance Contract |
€183,900.00 |
|
2012 |
AUG |
UAV Consumables |
€11,172.00 |
|
2013 |
APRIL |
UAV Consumables |
€22,224.00 |
|
2013 |
MAY |
UAV Maintenance Contract |
€179,120.00 |
|
2013 |
AUG |
UAV Repairs |
€4,800.00 |
|
2013 |
SEPT |
UAV Consumables |
€4,600.00 |
|
2013 |
DEC |
UAV Repairs |
€4,700.00 |
|
2014 |
MAR |
UAV Training |
€100,000.00 |
|
2014 |
APRIL |
UAV Consumables |
€22,224.00 |
|
2014 |
MAY |
UAV Maintenance Contract |
€165,000.00 |
|
2014 |
OCT |
UAV Repairs |
€4,700.00 |
|
2014 |
OCT |
UAV Repairs |
€4,700.00 |
|
2015 |
JAN |
UAV Consumables |
€3,480.00 |
|
2015 |
APRIL |
UAV Consumables |
€22,224.00 |
|
2015 |
JUNE |
UAV Maintenance Contract |
€170,000.00 |
|
2016 |
JAN |
UAV Consumables |
€15,660.00 |
|
2016 |
JAN |
UAV Repairs |
€11,400.00 |
|
2016 |
MAY |
UAV Consumables |
€33,396.00 |
|
2016 |
JULY |
UAV Repairs |
€13,700.00 |
|
2016 |
JULY |
UAV Maintenance Contract |
€170,000.00 |
|
2016 |
JULY |
UAV Upgrade |
€1,900,000.00 |
|
2017 |
FEB |
UAV Training |
€140,000.00 |
|
2017 |
MAY |
UAV Launchers |
€172,000.00 |
|
2017 |
JUNE |
UAV Maintenance Contract |
€170,000.00 |
|
2017 |
AUG |
UAV Training |
€240,000.00 |
|
2018 |
MAY |
UAV Consumables |
€33,600.00 |
|
2018 |
JULY |
UAV Maintenance Contract |
€175,000.00 |
|
2019 |
APRIL |
UAV Repairs |
€52,600.00 |
|
2019 |
OCT |
UAV Training |
€170,000.00 |
|
2019 |
NOV |
UAV Consumables |
€22,400.00 |
|
2019 |
DEC |
UAV Maintenance Contract |
€180,000.00 |
|
2020 |
MAR |
UAV Repairs |
€12,372.00 |
|
2020 |
AUG |
UAV Maintenance Contract |
€190,000.00 |
|
2020 |
AUG |
UAV Consumables |
€5,400.00 |
|
2021 |
FEB |
UAV Repairs |
€34,200.00 |
|
2021 |
AUG |
UAV Maintenance Contract |
€200,000.00 |
|
2021 |
SEPT |
UAV Consumables |
€28,800.00 |
|
2022 |
SEPT |
UAV Maintenance Contract |
€204,000.00 |
|
2022 |
NOV |
UAV Training |
€63,000.00 |
|
2023 |
AUG |
UAV Training |
€195,000.00 |
|
Total |
€8,079,418.88 |
