Donal Carey
Ceist:71 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself with the levels of military equipment within the Army; the plans, if any, he has in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4800/98]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Equipment.
Seán Power
Ceist:152 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Defence the new items of equipment which have been purchased or ordered as part of the ongoing updating of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5131/98]
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:185 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself with the levels of military equipment within the Army; the plans, if any, he has in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5220/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 71, 152 and 185 together.
In recent years considerable sums have been expended under the Defence Vote for new weapons, transport and communications equipment and in providing new and up-graded living and operational accommodation for the Defence Forces.
Some of the more important developments in 1997 in relation to the improvement of Defence Forces' equipment were:
a contract for a new fishery patrol vessel, for delivery in 1999;
a contract for the supply of new turrets and fire directing systems for fitting, during 1998 and 1999, to existing armoured cars;
a contract for the purchase of refurbished 105mm. light artillery guns, for delivery in 1998, to replace "25 pounder" guns which are now obsolete;
a contract for the final instalment of equipment to complete a major programme to provide new tactical VHF radios for the Defence Forces at a total cost of nearly £10 million;
expenditure of approximately £3 million on new troop carrying vehicles.
The question of procuring armoured personnel carriers is under cosideration in my Department at present. A project team has been established comprising civilian and military personnel and has been tasked with identifying the most suitable type of APC for the Defence Forces, the numbers and variants required and the estimated costs involved. Procurement of APC's will be undertaken by way of a competition which will be conducted in accordance with Government contracts procedures.
It is estimated that commencing in 1999 there will be net pay savings of the order of £15 million a year arising from the reduction in the strength of the permanent defence force. It has been agreed that from 1999 onwards 50 per cent of the pay savings will be made available to provide additional funding for equipment and infrastructural programmes for the Defence Forces.