Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 49: To ask the Minister for Defence when he expects the new RG32M light tactical armoured vehicles to enter service on peace keeping missions; the type and nature of the protective and defensive equipment that will be fitted on these vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34736/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A contract for the supply of 27 Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles to the Defence Forces was awarded to BAE Systems based in South Africa in December 2008. The contract followed on from a detailed tender competition, which was initiated in May 2008 and which concluded with the selection of the RG32M in November 2008.

The tender competition has allowed for the option to acquire up to another twenty-seven vehicles over the next few years to meet any further requirements, depending on the threat faced by the Defence Forces in operational deployments and following a detailed review of the vehicles in a deployment situation.

The intention is that the LTAV will complement the Mowag Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) in the conduct of conventional and Peace Support Operations and will fill a gap that exists between soft-skinned vehicles and the Mowag APCs. It is expected that delivery of the first batch of vehicles will take place towards the end of 2009 with the remainder of the vehicles being delivered in early 2010.

Before the vehicles enter service, crews will need to be comprehensively trained on the operation of the vehicles. The Defence Forces has designated training centres to develop these skills and on completion of acceptance trials, training will commence. The vehicles will be considered for deployment on specific Peace Support Operations as a force protection measure in the future once the capability has been fully developed within the Defence Forces.

The acquisition of the Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles is a top priority for the Defence Forces, given the extensive nature of their roles on overseas Peace Support Missions, the threat from improvised explosive devices and the potential for hostile fire in certain threat environments. Force protection remains a key issue in overseas peace support operations and it is very important that vehicles such as these are available to our personnel. The vehicles will have a high level of protection and mine defence capabilities and will be equipped with self defence weapon platforms.

The purchase of the vehicles is in line with the commitment given in the Programme for Government to continue investment in modern equipment for Defence Forces Personnel and the obligations of the State to provide appropriate support and force protection assets to deployed personnel.