Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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598. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which military equipment including transport, communications and procedures in the Army continues to be upgraded and improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17319/16]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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599. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which all sea-going vessels available to the Naval Service are upgraded, improved or refurbished on a regular basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17320/16]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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600. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which training, equipment and quality and variety of aircraft available to the Air Corps continues to be in line with the best standards internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17321/16]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 598 to 600, inclusive, together.

The acquisition of new equipment and equipment upgrades for the Defence Forces remains a focus for me as Minister for Defence, and I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have a modern and effective range of equipment which is line with best international standards, as required to fulfil all roles that are assigned to them by Government.

The future equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and the Naval Service are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the recently published White Paper, which recognises that there are several new and or enhanced platforms to be procured.

In the context of the Air Corps fleet, this includes the replacement of the Cessna fleet with three larger aircraft suitably equipped for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance tasks. In addition, it is intended that the two CASA 235s Maritime Patrol Aircraft will also be replaced. The existing Pilatus PC9 aircraft are not due for replacement until 2025. The current EC 135 and AW 139 helicopter fleet in the Air Corps will continue to deliver the required Defence Forces support and other support capabilities over the lifetime of the White Paper.

The current Naval Service ship replacement programme will have replaced three Naval Service vessels by July 2016. Last week, agreement was reached with Babcock International for the provision of an additional ship for the Naval Service to be built in their facility in Appledore, Devon. This ship will be the same class as the three newest vessels, LÉ Samuel Beckett, LÉ James Joyce and LÉ William Butler Yeats. The agreed contract value for the further ship is €54.3 million (€66.78 million inclusive of VAT) and delivery is expected within two years, which ties in with the project planning process in place under the White Paper on Defence which will determine the Defence Organisation’s maritime capability requirements.

The White Paper also provides for the replacement of the current flagship, LÉ Eithne, by a multi-roled vessel (MRV). LÉ Eithne was built in 1984. In addition, the two existing Coastal Patrol Vessels, LÉ Ciara and LÉ Orla are due for replacement in the coming years (also built in 1984). It is outlined in the White Paper that these ships will be replaced with similar type vessels with countermine and counter IED capabilities.

In addition, the White Paper recognises the requirement to maintain and upgrade vessels having regard to emerging operational requirements and changes in technology.

The Army will continue to retain all-arms conventional military capabilities, and the principal aim over the period of the White Paper will be to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements at home and overseas. There will be a focus on the essential force protection provided by armoured vehicles and the most cost effective option of upgrading or replacing the current fleet will be identified. A small number of armoured logistical vehicles will be procured for force protection overseas.

There will be continued investment in the development of suitable network enabled communications in order to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex operational environment. This is also a priority area for investment if additional funding, beyond that required to maintain existing capabilities, is made available.

I am satisfied that the current provisions, together with the courses of action in the White Paper, will ensure that the Defence Forces are fully equipped and trained to meet the roles placed on them.