I am advised that orders/contracts have been placed by my Department with companies in non-EU member states in the past three years. The details are as follows:
Year
|
No. of Orders/ Contracts
|
Value
|
|
|
€
|
2001
|
32
|
5.5m. approx.
|
2002
|
23
|
39m. approx.
|
2003
|
64
|
77m. approx.
|
Tender competitions are held for the acquisition of equipment for the Defence Forces. These competitions determine the company and country of origin of the equipment.
The main contract placed in 2002 was for an additional 25 APCs from Mowag of Switzerland with a value of over €34 million, including VAT. Payments under the contract are spread over a number of years, from 2002 to 2005. All 25 vehicles are scheduled for delivery this year.
In 2003, following a tender competition a contract was placed with Pilatus of Switzerland for the supply of eight trainer aircraft for the Air Corps. The value of the contract including VAT is €60 million, approximately and again, the payments are spread over a number of years up to 2005. All eight aircraft are scheduled for delivery this year.