Seán Power
Ceist:32 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Defence the brigades which will be issued with the new armoured personnel carriers; the timescale for their introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18210/01]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Equipment.
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:68 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Defence the progress made to date regarding the acquisition of new Piranha armoured personnel carriers for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18317/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 68 together.
Following a tender competition which was conducted in strict compliance with Government procurement procedures, a contract was signed on 30 November 1999 for the supply by Mowag of Switzerland of 40 armoured personnel carriers – APCs – initial spares, special tools and training courses.
The 40 vehicles, known as Piranha 8 x 8s, are being manufactured as 34 troop carrier variants, four command variants, one recovery variant and one ambulance variant. The total cost of the contract, which is spread over five years, is in the region of £40 million, including VAT.
The first two vehicles were produced at the end of 2000 and following rigorous inspection and acceptance testing procedures were officially handed over to me on 11 January 2001. Both vehicles remained in Switzerland to facilitate training of Defence Forces personnel.
The full production run has commenced. Six vehicles, including the two vehicles handed over in January, arrived in Ireland last week and are now based in the Curragh Camp. The balance of the 34 APCs will be delivered at a rate of four-five from July 2001 to January 2002. All 40 APCs will have been delivered by January 2002 – almost two years ahead of previous expectations.
The APCs are being allotted to B Company, 3rd Infantry Battalion in the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh Camp. The vehicles will initially remain with B Company to facilitate the development of APC doctrine and training. I understand no decision has been taken on their final distribution within the Defence Forces.