Written answers

Tuesday, 26 June 2018

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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75. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which an audit has been carried out of training and equipment in the Air Corps, having particular regard to the need to ensure the availability of the most up-to-date standards at all levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28043/18]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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My priority as Minister with Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles assigned by Government as set out on the White Paper on Defence. The Defence Forces keep their operational capability under on-going review.

The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains a clear focus for me. Future equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the White Paper on Defence. In relation to the Air Corps, the principal aim over the period of the White Paper will be to upgrade the Air Corps fleet of aircraft with the replacement of the existing

five Cessna aircraft with larger and more capable fixed wing utility aircraft suitably equipped for ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance). Following an open tender competition, a contract was placed with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd in December 2017 at a cost of some €32m for the provision of three PC-12 fixed wing utility aircraft suitably equipped for ISTAR tasks which will replace the Cessna fleet.

Planning is also in progress to replace the CASA Maritime Patrol aircraft with larger more suitable aircraft, which will enhance maritime surveillance and provide a greater degree of utility for transport and cargo carrying tasks. The planning process for the replacement of the CASA 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft has commenced and a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the procurement of the aircraft was published in May 2018.

The primary function of training and education in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the necessary capabilities. The Defence Forces deliver in-house military training programmes and modules meeting national, EU and international standards. They also engage with external educational institutions and international educational institutions, military and civilian. All training, internal and external, is provided to ensure that the Air Corps, and indeed the Defence Forces as a whole, are in line with best international practice and that they avail of all relevant modern training methods.

I am satisfied that the current provisions, together with the courses of action in the White Paper, will continue to ensure that the Defence Forces are suitably equipped and trained, in line with EU and international best practice, to fulfil all roles assigned by Government.

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