I have a feeling the specifics will be gone over in multiple sub-threads, but let's use this for discussion of the report in one neat place, shall we?
Horrible-looking link to the PDF, but it works.
While the pitiful tokenism, rehashed press releases and window dressing continue here with minimal actual spend, it is interesting to look at Austria as an example of a neutral country giving the current security situation the attention it deserves.
Procurements in progress include:
We use the geography card to downplay our defence obligations, when in reality we are an exposed country on Europe's western flank vulnerable to anyone with long range aviation or a navy. Austria on the other hand is a landlocked country with NATO countries between it and trouble and it's quietly going about it's business building up it's capabilities.
Here we publish progress reports on action plans that are high on box ticking but low on action. We instigate a Defence Review and don't action it. Refurbish a few barracks - A lick of paint here and there. One can only hope that this spoofing is soon called out at European level or by the multinationals based here. The continued governmental apathy to defence and the pace of investment is beyond baffling at this point. What is the explanation? Does 1924 still rankle?
I'm surprised they went Eurofighter considering how much they've pissed and moaned about (and almost sold all) their current ones
According to the DF Vision document to accompany the new Air & Marine Radar they are getting a GBAD system. I presume to replace the RBS 70
The document says a lot of nice things…and that's about as far as it will get. The NS will get ships because its a visible service, they do nice media eye catching drug busts and with immigration swelling to the top of the agenda, the gov of any stripe will want to be seen to be doingsomething. We might get radars.
You just have to look at yesterdays announcement by the Luxembourg gov is going to spend 2.6 Billion on upgrading kit/vehicles for their military. A force less then 1000 strong with no navy to worry about, to see the gov here will never sanction the spending needed to address the needs we have.
It's just not going to happen, I've come to that realisation and to be honest it takes the sting out of it.
Reading the Strategic Framework Update that the department released today i have to say it is very impresive how the Department have rehashed previous information they released. Sir Humprey would be so impressed.
Delete..
Times is saying Naval Service name change is coming soon so does that mean the new defence forces command structure will happen sooner than we think?
https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2024/05/25/newly-purchased-navy-ship-wont-be-deployed-until-staff-numbers-increase/
In the proposed new structure all 3 services are to be equall so will the GOC of the Army/ Land forces be a Brigadier General or will all the heads of services move up a level?
Handy job, commanding f*ck all people.
So with the CoS bringing a big crew with him next year and the retirements you mentioned in a past post what will ne the average age of the new senior staff?
You're suggesting they should be higher?
The land forces commander will be over a much larger force with more diverse activities, even though his role in day-to-day national defence may be less. So swings and roundabouts.
I think making the three branches equal under OF-7s is the cleanest way to begin the longer term changes.
The optimum time to switch up all the services, big bang the lot and reset for purpose.
It will be like the Night of the Long Knives at the officers Summer BBQ with that many lads and ladies going for the jobs
Good. Competition is the healthiest of things. It will help shake off the malaise that has decended on the DF these last 15 years, due to mismanagement and low prioritisation, nay neglect, by successive governments.
If anyone is bored and wants a laught the DOD have published the White Paper on Defence Programme Status Report on there website. Yes the whitepaper is still a thing from 2015
They are currently working on the Blue paper. That will cover why the items due in 2028 have not been delivered
Nato allies are concerned about Moscow potentially sabotaging cables and pipelines as well as Ireland’s inability to contribute to its own defence
In tomorrow's Sunday Times
Its good news as Shannon is getting extra sales in Aviation Fuels, Sambos and Coffee
This is embarrassing.
Indeed.
Because we're spongers.
Its ok we had a Casa 295 up there during the week and i even think WB Yeats could be in the area
Was it not due to head to killybegs for another open day this weekend?
The poor russians must not know that corrib is nearly empty.
Unless the CASA has sonobuoys or MAD gear I don’t know about, i don’t see that it makes a difference,
I belive it is fitted out with very limited sub surface ability up to maybe 5/ 10 Meters.
I seen your video with the cavalry school. You had mentioned before about all the current IFVs/ APCs been to big for irish roads. Did they indicate what Mowag replacement they are looking at?
The AC should get back to Airbus and tell em to modify the 3rd plane currently on order to incorporate a full suite of equipment so that it can carry out subsea as well as surface surveillance.
This will mean that it won't be usable as a transport plane so they should acquire a KC390 as a more useful asset.
No, that's part of the reason they were at the AFV conference I ran into them at last year. They were trying to keep abreast of current developments.
I don’t suppose they have you any idea of a timeframe for the replacement (or their best guess), or like the MRV for the Navy, is it going to be something that’s going to be long fingered as much as possible?
So they dont know what they want but according to the Detailed Implementation Plan the New Armour will start to be delivered in early 2026 less than 18 months from now?
have we ever actually procured something when we said we would?
For a bit of context on how things have moved on since we bought our PIII's, Slovenia is currently running a RFP for 106 8x8 AVs budgeted at $700 million..
I just can't see an Irish gov plonking down close to 3/4 of billion Euro for similar here. CAVS is probably a more viable vehicle.
I mean the same can be said for any defence purchase, whether that’s the price tag for the 295s and their support package, or the MRV if it happens, to the idea of an effective primary radar system. None of them were/are going to be cheap purchases.
The only benefit for the army is they actually get to parade them for Paddy’s day and the politicians get to point at them.
