Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2023
105. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the main capital acquisitions of the Defence Forces in 2023 and the associated costs; the proposed main acquisitions for 2024 and the estimated costs; and the primary acquisitions required under Level of Ambition 2 of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces. [42541/23]
View answerMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) processes.
Further additions to the EDP are currently under consideration, including in the context of the Government’s decision to move to a higher level of ambition, known as LOA2, and in light of specific recommendations, associated with a move to LOA2, made in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces last year.
Projects for the Army are being considered in the context of capability development and available funding against the backdrop of the overall Equipment Development Plan process and multi annual programme areas.
There has been significant investment in recent years in the armoured fleet of vehicles with the enhancement of force protection and mobility with the mid-life refit of the MOWAG Piranha III vehicles project nearing completion and the delivery of Armoured Utility Vehicles. These projects have seen the integration of cutting edge technology and equipment into the vehicles.
Technology is an enabler of modern military forces and a Software Defined Radio Project which is the next generation communications system for the Defence Forces is currently in the marketplace. This complex project is being designed and customised to meet the Defence Forces' requirements and to incorporate systems and equipment platforms, it will support the joint common operational picture.
The programme for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft is nearing completion with the recent delivery of the first aircraft on 27 June and the second aircraft is due this month.
Work on capital investment in aircraft continues with the recent placing of a contract with Airbus for a military transport aircraft for the Defence Forces. The Airbus C295W transport aircraft is highly versatile and will provide a dedicated asset to support the Defence Forces military airlift transport requirements and provide a wide contingent capability. This transport aircraft will enable the Air Corps to provide a wide range of services including logistics support and transport of troops and equipment, medical evacuation and air ambulance, Special Operations Forces operations and a general utility role. Delivery of this aircraft is expected in 2025.
With regard to Naval Service projects, marine advisors have been appointed by my Department to support the procurement of a Multi-Role Vessel (MRV) to replace the now decommissioned former flagship LÉ Eithne. This work is underway and will inform a public tender competition, in line with the Public Spending Code, in due course.
The two Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs), purchased from the New Zealand government last year to replace the now decommissioned LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara, were transported to Ireland following a year long project to regenerate and modify the vessels. Following their arrival in Cork, the IPVs are undergoing a comprehensive programme of works including crew familiarisation and training. They will become fully operational when all of these targets are met and as soon as possible. Projects for other Naval Service capabilities will be considered in the context of overall capability development and available funding in accordance with established planning processes.
Ongoing and future Defence capital programmes/projects, primarily encompassing Defence Forces equipment and infrastructural requirements, are planned and prioritised through the Defence Equipment Development Plan (EDP) and the Defence Infrastructural Development Plan. Defence capital investment is atypical and multi-annual, with long lead-in times. Therefore, the EDP remains a living document, which is subjected to regular reviews and updates and, at all times, remains cognisant of funding availability, organisational priorities and timing issues.
The Defence budget allocation is determined within an overarching budgetary framework which encompasses existing NDP multi-annual capital allocations and remains cognisant of the level of resources available, commensurate with defence policy requirements. It is within this context that the Estimates 2024 discussions are taking place with the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform, to include full consideration of Defence capital investment priorities for 2024 and beyond.
The Department of Defence has received a capital allocation under the National Development Plan of €566 million over the 2022 to 2025 timeframe. This level of capital funding allows the Defence Organisation to undertake a phased planned programme of sustained equipment and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the Defence White Paper and the Report of the Commission, while building on the significant investment programme over recent years.
