Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which vehicles, crafts, technology, equipment and training is updated on an annual basis in respect of the army, navy and air corp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2611/10]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces continues to be a key focus for me as Minister for Defence. Significant investment has taken place in recent years across all facets and elements of the Defence Forces. This investment has been facilitated by the re-investment both of pay savings arising from the reduction in the strength of the Permanent Defence Force in the context of the White Paper of 2000 and proceeds from the sale of surplus properties. The level of investment has ensured that Defence Forces personnel have the most modern and effective range of equipment to carry our their day-to-day roles at home and overseas. I will ensure that this investment will continue as much as possible, taking the changed economic circumstances into account.

On the issue of training, I am very satisfied that military training techniques are up to date in all respects. Defence Forces training plans are structured to provide the capabilities needed to execute the roles assigned to them by Government. The challenges of preparing military units for participation in international peace support operations constitute the major dimension of Defence Forces collective training. The primary focus of this training is the attainment of a capability for military interoperability in order to conduct peace support operations to international standards.