Army-Land Component

roadmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123377700#Comment_123377700

If Cav end up getting the Jaguar you will have an excuse to go back to the curragh and make another video.

Larbre34

In related news, the Brits are to accelerate acquisition and programme numbers of its planned Boxer chassis KNDS 155mm Howitzer.

This revolutionary gun platform uses computerised targeting and stabilisation systems in order to fire accurately while on the move. The main armament can also be used as a direct fire weapon to take out battlefield threats within visible range. Now I don't know about you guys, but I would pay real money to see a 40,000 metre range gun take out a Russian MBT at <1,000 metres.

Furthermore, the system is so automated that it is expected it will be able to be used as a fully autonomous unmanned drone unit, limited only by road fuel and ammunition. Though the limits of this remain understandably classified.

mupper2

https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2025/us-approves-javelin-missile-sale-to-ireland-to-enhance-mobile-strike-capabilities-against-armored-and-fortified-targets

On April 23, 2025, the United States Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) confirmed that the U.S. Department of State had approved a potential sale of military equipment to Ireland, covering FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missiles and Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLU). This official notification, submitted to the U.S. Congress, reflects the continuity of bilateral security relations and aims to enhance Ireland’s defense capabilities while supporting its increasing involvement in international peacekeeping operations under the United Nations and the NATO Partnership for Peace program.

roadmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123386162#Comment_123386162

The US must not be worried about the Healy Raes and the Munster Republic.

DSCA officials have clarified that the sale will not affect the operational readiness of U.S. forces and will not alter the regional military balance. This transaction illustrates the stability of security cooperation between Washington and Dublin at a time when the United States continues to support capacity-building among partner nations while ensuring controlled transfers of sensitive technologies.

Larbre34

As a long-time operator of the system, I wouldn't have thought it in any way controversial.

tippilot

The LwCLU is a new lighter and smaller launch unit with better optics and reportedly twice the detection and tracking capability.

Given that the number purchased (36) is exactly equal to the Block 1 units purchased over twenty years ago, there is a high possibility this is a like for like replacement of older units approaching obsolescence rather than adding additional units to the inventory.

It does however confirm the Javelin will remain in use here for the medium term.

tippilot

Interesting point - the new launch unit is compatible with the Stinger SAM.

mupper2

The new combat clothing system has been re-tendered….which was quick

Provision of Defence Forces Combat Uniform Systems (DFCUS) to the Irish Defence Forces

Description: The Irish Defence Forces (DF) intends to invite submissions from companies/organisations/consortiums for the Provision of the Defence Forces Combat Uniform Systems (DFCUS) from suitably qualified providers with appropriate expertise in the field of manufacturing and supply of proven operational military uniform systems. The DFCUS will be a multi-layered integrated uniform system in the newly developed Irish Transitional Multicam Pattern (ITMP) that utilises improved fabric technologies and fits to provide an improved uniform system to the personnel of the DF. The system will include an increased range of sizes and will see the introduction of a female fit across multiple garments.

jonnybigwallet

I see the British are looking at reforming the Home Guard. A self standing organisation tasked with defending in country strategic assets such as power stations Airports key factories etc.

Larbre34

I heard that.

Seems an odd concept. Volunteers to defend power plants, airports and telecoms hubs. With what, .303 rifles? Surely thats what the Army, or at least the T.A. are meant to do?

The whole idea reminds me of when society fell apart after the nuclear war in the movie 'Threads', and the Traffic Wardens ended up guarding the food warehouses with L1A1 SLRs on a 'shoot to kill' basis.

jonnybigwallet

Could be a role for the reserves (FCA)?

I'd imagine they'd be better equipped than with the auld 303 s

jonnybigwallet

I think the UK Home Guard was briefly reformed during the Korean war?

Must check…I'm a member of the home guard club. Great place to watch sport an very cheap booze

Manic Moran

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123464737#Comment_123464737

TA are long gone, it’s Army Reserve.
The AR are supposed to augment the deploying army. Though they can perform local security roles, they are supposed to be able to do far more than just that. Local security alone is a much simpler training set.

Larbre34

I know, I was just using the TA reference tongue in cheek because of the Dad's Army headlines that this idea has generated.

In point of fact, after the huge exercise that was undertaken to integrate the Reserve into a single force structure of the British Army, the whole idea of a bunch of local volunteers on-call to protect major strategic assets, seems even more bizarre.

Surely the defence of airports and power stations and comms hubs is a role for the Police in the first instance and then the Army and Air Force in times of crisis and emergency, be it in the form of reserve personnel or not.

mupper2

The new DF IMBAS body armour system has broken cover, in service it'll be in ITMP camo.

Larbre34

Is that to be worn at all times off base in theatre, or is for certain tasks?

mupper2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123512084#Comment_123512084

No they are all detachable from the base carrier.

roadmaster

@Manic Moran with your chats with the Cavalry lads is there any truth that Army Re Design is heading towards two fully Mechanised Brigades?

sparky42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123568939#Comment_123568939

Wasn’t that the LoA3 suggestion? If so grand, but continuing the tradition of not realising we are an island.

roadmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123569350#Comment_123569350

But fully armoured with support so they can fit nicely into either the German or French EUBG formations.

Apperently there is a strong local and politcal demand to reistablish the 4th in the west as well. It will be interesting to see what the Amercians come up with for us.

Manic Moran

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123568939#Comment_123568939

The public statement is that the force redesign has not yet come to its conclusion. Anything much more than that would kindof violate the 'private chat' we had. However, the discussion does generally focus on warfighting, not UN missions.

sparky42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123570062#Comment_123570062

Understandable to keep the chat private, hope we aren't bugging you too much, did you get any sense from them in terms of how close the process is to a conclusion?

sparky42

In terms of potential new vehicle purchases, the longer we wait, the further down the line we get:

https://armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2025/breaking-news-germany-negotiates-to-acquire-up-to-7-000-combat-vehicles-from-rheinmetall-in-historic-land-forces-expansion

I mean that order alone is going to be massive if Germany goes ahead with it.

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123635989#Comment_123635989

Unless our buy is indeed tied into a G2G deal like the French buy that has long been rumoured and our numbers are included in that pool?

roadmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123635989#Comment_123635989

It actually will not be that hard for the germans as they plan to use car plants that are been shut down. At the end of the day its just a production line. In 1980 workers in Shannon went from making Pianos to Buses in a year.

https://eurometal.net/rheinmetall-may-use-volkswagen-plant-to-produce-tanks/

Larbre34

Generally speaking, defence production in Europe is about to skyrocket, and the big makers are looking for capacity all over.

The EDIP, the ASAP, the common defence bond issue....

The stimulus effect will actually be remarkable. And industrial engineers all over are working around the clock to convert potential into tangible.

In fact, if you have any sort of interest in the stock market, get on those big continental armourers; Thales, Rheinmetall, BAE Systems, ThyssenKrupp, Navantia, Dassault, Naval Group, Leonardo, Damen, Saab, Safran, take your pick!

roadmaster

I hope we have a good Contract with our French pals.

https://defence-blog.com/czech-army-threatens-to-halt-payments-for-caesar-howitzers/

Larbre34

A salutory tale indeed.

And a critical issue for European defence manufacturing. Can you scale up and fulfil expanded contracts on time, and maintain quality?

Because as you hear in project management all the time, you can have a thing quick and cheap but not good, good and quick but not cheap, or cheap and good but not quick. Never all three.