Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 2

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Transport.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

46 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence the latest position regarding the provision of new armoured personnel carriers for the Defence Forces; when a final decision regarding the award of a contract will be made; when it is expected that the vehicles will come on stream; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26727/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I announced recently the result of the first stage of a competition to provide armoured personnel carriers for the Defence Forces. More than 30 prospective suppliers world wide had expressed interest in the procurement programme and proposals were received from 12 companies. The proposals were evaluated and assessed by a civilian-military project team which was established to manage the entire procurement process.

Two vehicles have now been selected to go forward to the next stage of the competition having complied fully with the initial technical specification in which protection of troops was given high priority. The successful proposals were submitted by Mowag of Switzerland who manufacture the Piranha APC and Steyr-Daimler-Puch of Austria who manufacture the Pandur APC. The two suppliers selected will shortly be asked to prepare formal tenders on the basis of a more detailed specification.

A contract is expected to be in place in the first half of 1999 for the supply of up to 40 APCs over five years, with the first APC delivered late next year. The purchase of modern APCs is regarded by the Defence Forces as the most urgent equipment requirement to enable them to carry out all the roles assigned by Government. One of the priorities in the Action Programme for the Millennium is to "equip the Defence Forces adequately for an expanded role in international peacekeeping". The APC procurement forms an integral part of an ongoing re-equipment programme.