Interesting articles

roadmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120123193#Comment_120123193

In the minsterial briefing they mention a few times about how they want a fully intergated defence forces among all elements

Larbre34

You know I don't think that at all, don't be daft.

I want to know, that in the current European security environment, where is the urgency on the primary radar at the very least.

Some elements of the plan can wait for the glacial performance typical of the Irish Civil Service. Others cannot.

roadmaster

The 1st thing the defence forces have to do probably is have a project team in place that will see the changes through before they start buying major equipment. As mentioned before with ATCP going could this free up personal from the army to operate a radar system etc

sparky42

The other thing to consider when asking about a timeframe for new procurement is just how much capacity within DOD and DF for procurement management? How many projects can they handle at once, particularly when losing defence firms can and do sue over decisions?

jonnybigwallet

They can always get a team of agency personnel in to bolster up the numbers on the procurement and contract management team. Wouldn't cost the earth!

sparky42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120125300#Comment_120125300

So you think that DPER which is slow balling any solutions to the manpower issues for the last decade is suddenly going to open their wallets for Agency Staff in order for more expenditure?

Larbre34

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120125300#Comment_120125300

From where?

From the management consultancies? I've seen it before up close, they're all shite, clueless, wasters.

DoD must be professionalised in procurement and the only quick and effective way to do that, is to assemble a team, taken from experience across the big spending Departments in the Civil Service (Health, Justice, OPW, Transport etc) as well as from the Office of Government Procurement and DPER itself.

jonnybigwallet

You don't have to go to management consultancy firms. You can hire direct via professional technical recruiters. That way you save at least 50%. We don't need a whole army of people to handle half a dozen major purchase orders.

Larbre34

Half a dozen?

You're talking about hundreds, if not thousands of high value procurement exercises over the next decade.

Everything from the bricks and mortar of new facilities, to all the individual equipment elements for an expanded Force, to stores of consumables for people and vehicles and aircraft and IT, not to mention the IT itself, to run everything from air defence systems to counter-cyber, to secure intelligence communications, to name but a few, but all worth hundreds of thousands, if not millions, in their own right. And thats before we even mention the fun stuff.

An army of people is precisely whats needed and its fair to say that you don't even know, what you don't even know.

jonnybigwallet

The stuff you're talking about is small potatoes. I've got 35 years of experience in project management in highly regulated industries. Nuclear / Oil and Gas / Railway Infrastructure. An order for "hundreds of thousands" or "millions" is a small order, in my universe. These can be handled easily by the existing teams and the sub contractors. We just need to recruit some extra high calibre people for the big stuff. I can assure you that I know damned well what I'm talking about, and it ain't pallets of bricks.

jonnybigwallet

Was reported some time ago. I don't keep up with every aspect of H&W business and I'm not infallible. Unlike certain people here.

Larbre34

Ah the auld mask has slipped Jonny Irishman, its all **** and giggles till the blow back lands on you.

jonnybigwallet

I don't know what you're talking about. Sounds like a pile of auld shite to me. Trying to score cheap points as usual.

roadmaster

Hedgehoping Cessnas!

https://www.anglocelt.ie/2023/01/22/patrolling-the-polyp-also-known-as-the-connons/

Psychlops

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/24/politics/us-abram-tanks-ukraine/index.html

Wow.

Larbre34

The Germans said they wouldn't OK Leopard to be deployed without Abrams and it seems to have panned out that way.

Honestly I'd worry about the effectiveness of Abrams in Ukrainian hands without the massive apparatus that supports it in US battlefield operations. I'm sure they're working on that, but you can't do in months what America and Australia and Saudi have taken years to work-up and integrate.

roadmaster

From the rte archives. An interesting report on the selection to replace the then FN.

https://www.rte.ie/archives/2017/0309/858464-weapons-testing-for-irish-army/

Larbre34

"The SA-80, chosen by Professionals" 😂😂

Dodged a bullet there. Literally like, early SAs would jam on first shot!

Interesting little archive piece all the same.

sparky42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120174895#Comment_120174895

I’m not sure what would have caused more outrage at the time, buying the 80s or the Gail given everything?

roadmaster

Its Time again for who wants an Army HQ

https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2023/02/03/video-tanaiste-refuses-to-commit-to-athlone-becoming-army-hq-site/

roadmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120204288#Comment_120204288

I noted in MMs reply he said several barracks where being looked at for the Army Hq. Tge gas thing is custume barracks is not even in his constituency

On a side note a colleague from Mullingar told me that the local SF TD the bluffer was telling locals that the refugees are only tempoary as the army is moving back in next year!

Strangley enoght it turns out the barracks was never transfered from the DOD to the LDA

Mullingar only closed a decade ago. There's no rush!

roadmaster

Its best to avoid the newspapers today as it is only doom and gloom about the defence forces

Larbre34

The very fact there is more widespread coverage in the print media is a good thing. Its better than complete apathy and ignorance as to what goes on in the DF.

The Govt have committed to the CoDF recommendations and they have a job of work ahead to deliver LoA2, including structures for a sustainable RDF.

I think Micheál Martin is up for that challenge, with the CoS, the Sec Gen and hopefully an ambitious and talented new Head of Transformation.

Watch this space.

roadmaster

I know it would be a big step back but to stablise the reserve should they maybe look at standing back up the FCA and its former units in regional towns to get numbers back up and then try the more structured intergrated reserve

mupper2

https://breakingdefense.com/2023/02/ireland-will-never-be-in-a-position-to-engage-in-antisubmarine-warfare-defense-minister/

roadmaster

Looks like no one wants to take Drone Patrol

https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2023/02/11/question-of-who-will-tackle-rogue-drones-emerges-as-state-finds-itself-unprepared-to-deal-with-issue/

Larbre34

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2023/0212/1356242-man-death-spain/

Tragic news this evening.

Reported to be a private incident, unconnected with any DF activity.

May he rest in peace.

roadmaster

I see in the papers the New Southern HEMS Service is taking over from the Community helicopter service in the comming weeks. The Contract is only for 24 months. Is there a reason its so short?

roadmaster

Study commisoned for the possable relocation of Cathal Brugha.

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/oireachtas/2023/02/14/defence-forces-starting-pay-compares-very-favourably-with-rest-of-public-service-taoiseach/