Fighter jets for the Air Corps?

11-06-2021 11:44AM

1874 wrote: »

Embarrassed? thats on you, sounds kinda immature imo, none of the Baltic states have comparable aircraft being suggested here, and thats the level we are at, and they share land borders with Russia.

It is embarrassing though, we depend on the UK to monitor our skies. Sweden aren't in NATO but have a serious set up.

I think a few drones are a fairly weak effort.

I think the bigger issue we have is that state spending of any significance on air defence or the military doesn't get much political support due to a general lack of appetite for it amongst the public.

The irony is we are effectively being used as a stop over for the US and yet remain neutral even though its fairly obvious we support the US.

nonethepfizer · 11-06-2021 11:55AM

Lorddrakul wrote: »

Can't answer that, just referencing the language of the piece, but it is a good point.

apologies, was directed at you, more so stating generally...

a country in a similar situation is Iceland...

Neutral country (I don't think they even have a defence force, just coastguard)..

They rely on a NATO rotation of air support on 3-6 month blocks, usually based out of Keflavik.

Keflavik is also a US Navy air station where P-8's are based for ASW duties and a usual stop for everything NATO.

We're not alone.

nonethepfizer · 11-06-2021 12:01PM

Deleted User wrote: »

It is embarrassing though, we depend on the UK to monitor our skies. Sweden aren't in NATO but have a serious set up.

I think a few drones are a fairly weak effort.

I think the bigger issue we have is that state spending of any significance on air defence or the military doesn't get much political support due to a general lack of appetite for it amongst the public.

The irony is we are effectively being used as a stop over for the US and yet remain neutral even though its fairly obvious we support the US.

Sweden have a greater active threat from Russia, as is the argument for all Baltic area nations. There is more of an overt defence justification for them as opposed to the Russians having the occasional joyride through our controlled airspace without transponders on.... but I do agree the Irish setup is pathetic at best...

The US are far more overt about their Shannon stopovers etc.... but there has been some questionable flights through SNN lately, which if you were to take their routings at face value, could be seen as transports in support of Russian military activities in Africa. They aren't Russian military aircraft so no one gives them a second look.

Larbre34 · 11-06-2021 12:34PM

It is an embarrassment, it has always been an embarrassment and it will be an embarrassment for the foreseeable future.

Any sovereign Republic, even a neutral one, who cannot enforce its own borders and boundaries and exert a presence at sea and in the air within its areas of responsibility, simply isn't worthy of the name.

sparky42 · 11-06-2021 12:46PM

nonethepfizer wrote: »

apologies, was directed at you, more so stating generally...

a country in a similar situation is Iceland...

Neutral country (I don't think they even have a defence force, just coastguard)..

They rely on a NATO rotation of air support on 3-6 month blocks, usually based out of Keflavik.

Keflavik is also a US Navy air station where P-8's are based for ASW duties and a usual stop for everything NATO.

We're not alone.

Iceland is in NATO so not neutral, it is also a tiny country that has zero comparisons with us, and yes legally we are alone as we aren’t part of NATO in case you missed that.

ohnonotgmail · 11-06-2021 01:05PM

Oscar Madison wrote: »

Neutrality!!!! Has anyone ANY idea how large the British Armed Forces is?

The size of its Navy, Airforce, Armed Forces or how much money annually is

spent on defence?

We're living next door to a 'SUPER POWER' whether we like it or not

and 'OUR NEUTRALITY' will not cost a thought to those in defence of the realm

and rightly so too! If the UK decided to 'invade' us in the morning what

would or could we do about it? Would the U.S. come to our defence?

I most certainly think not!

on our own probably not a whole lot except perhaps delay it. Thankfully Article 42 would kick in.

Larbre34 · 11-06-2021 01:55PM

If anything has become clear over the last while and indeed for about the last 60 years, it's that in the very, very unlikely eventuality of Ireland being subject to foreign aggression, even from Britain, that the United States would intercede on our side.

But thats by the by, we are talking here about normal peacetime security and defence.

Edgarfrndly · 11-06-2021 02:14PM

The UK is never going to invade Ireland (again). The UK despite our history would have our back in many situations. We have no direct enemies, but Russia is a threat to our airspace and infrastructure. Ireland is seen as a weak link in European defense.

Larbre34 · 11-06-2021 03:49PM

I hope those of us not connected to the military or political establishment, but with some knowledge and an interest in the subject, will be prepared to come out and say precisely that, if the Commission on Defence soft soaps their findings on that in any way.

Sgt. Bilko 09 · 11-06-2021 04:19PM

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/secret-defence-pact-allowing-raf-jets-inirish-airspace-undermines-our-neutrality-says-td-berry-40526069.html?fbclid=IwAR33KNT1r3oP8N4CT7i8PsMv1D338o1d6hADFU_5aINt5DXO0C-gZTeZLXI

its gathering so much transaction that some one Twitter is tagging the air corp in Gripen photo shops with Irish air corps emblems on them.

Larbre34 · 11-06-2021 04:29PM

Seen that mock up before, it looks deadly.

roadmaster · 11-06-2021 04:51PM

A fun article from last year about potential choices?

https://militarymatters.online/ireland-buying-new-jet-fighters-what-might-they-go-for/

Larbre34 · 11-06-2021 05:05PM

Subcontract it out? We're already subcontracting it out!

Sgt. Bilko 09 · 11-06-2021 05:08PM

roadmaster wrote: »

A fun article from last year about potential choices?

https://militarymatters.online/ireland-buying-new-jet-fighters-what-might-they-go-for/

The Kfir is a horrendous looking aircraft and sounds like a Vulcan. Seen two of them
in Columbia years ago.

I can’t ever see them outsourcing to another company to provide state security. There is already friction over the tender for the coast guard and CHC doing that post.

Banana Republic 1 · 11-06-2021 05:15PM

NZ had a fast jet squadron once as part of NATO but they have since farmed it out to Australia as it was two expensive. they probably have those pilots seconded to Australian airforce much like you see RAF pilots flying US jets.

The half arsed way Ireland does so many things including the military is embarrassing.

sparky42 · 11-06-2021 05:23PM

Banana Republic 1 wrote: »

NZ had a fast jet squadron once as part of NATO but they have since farmed it out to Australia as it was two expensive. they probably have those pilots seconded to Australian airforce much like you see RAF pilots flying US jets.

The half arsed way Ireland does so many things including the military is embarrassing.

Ah, no they aren’t NATO is North Atlantic, they were I think part of SEATO before that collapsed but that’s it.

Gary kk · 11-06-2021 06:25PM

I think after listening to Pat Kenny earlier that they are pushing for the FA 50. Pat named dropped it by accident as well. So they may have been talking before the show.

sparky42 · 11-06-2021 07:45PM

Gary kk wrote: »

I think after listening to Pat Kenny earlier that they are pushing for the FA 50. Pat named dropped it by accident as well. So they may have been talking before the show.

Likely to be the only user of the FA model in Western Europe... Yep that would continue the trend of the AC getting screwed.

Sgt. Bilko 09 · 11-06-2021 08:19PM

sparky42 wrote: »

Likely to be the only user of the FA model in Western Europe... Yep that would continue the trend of the AC getting screwed.

Are they really going for that model? Is there anything online about it? That’s a very strange purchase it’s modern but that’s about it. From what I’m reading on it(because I’m bored in work) is that it’s affordable and fast.

Larbre34 · 11-06-2021 08:22PM

Banana Republic 1 wrote: »

NZ had a fast jet squadron once as part of NATO but they have since farmed it out to Australia as it was two expensive. they probably have those pilots seconded to Australian airforce much like you see RAF pilots flying US jets.

The half arsed way Ireland does so many things including the military is embarrassing.

The way you think New Zealand is in NATO is also pretty embarrassing.

sparky42 · 11-06-2021 08:29PM

Sgt. Bilko 09 wrote: »

Are they really going for that model? Is there anything online about it? That’s a very strange purchase it’s modern but that’s about it. From what I’m reading on it(because I’m bored in work) is that it’s affordable and fast.

Well Berry is talking about it, the DOD isn’t talking about anything, they have their hands full with other projects. But yeah I can see people just picking it randomly, leaving out there’s no other users anywhere close to us.

Banana Republic 1 · 11-06-2021 08:36PM

Larbre34 wrote: »

The way you think New Zealand is in NATO is also pretty embarrassing.

A do one! they are in a battle group with Australia who are the largest none nato contributing force

Sgt. Bilko 09 · 11-06-2021 08:40PM

sparky42 wrote: »

Well Berry is talking about it, the DOD isn’t talking about anything, they have their hands full with other projects. But yeah I can see people just picking it randomly, leaving out there’s no other users anywhere close to us.

Yeah i thought that, there isnt any hype about it normal there is a leak of some sort, Iraq only got because Lockheed Martin pushed them to it. They are the closet user of it.

roadmaster · 11-06-2021 08:50PM

sparky42 wrote: »

Well Berry is talking about it, the DOD isn’t talking about anything, they have their hands full with other projects. But yeah I can see people just picking it randomly, leaving out there’s no other users anywhere close to us.

They probably think because Hyundai have a good dealer network here parts wont be an issue!

sparky42 · 11-06-2021 08:56PM

roadmaster wrote: »

They probably think because Hyundai have a good dealer network here parts wont be an issue!

Or haven’t even looked at how the CASAs and PC 9s go back to get work done, supporting 12-16 of them will be a nightmare, just look at the issues the Australians have had with supporting the Tiger.

sparky42 · 11-06-2021 08:57PM

Banana Republic 1 wrote: »

A do one! they are in a battle group with Australia who are the largest none nato contributing force

What?

sparky42 · 11-06-2021 08:58PM

Sgt. Bilko 09 wrote: »

Yeah i thought that, there isnt any hype about it normal there is a leak of some sort, Iraq only got because Lockheed Martin pushed them to it. They are the closet user of it.

Nah, there’s no way DOD are even looking at Jets, hell they were bitching about fighting Defence systems to the 295s... Buying things that might have weapons on them... Hell no.

Larbre34 · 11-06-2021 09:13PM

Yes, I understand the fitting of GPMGs to the AW139s caused a spike in sick leave at the Did and a communal dish of Xanax to appear in the canteen.

11-06-2021 09:39PM

Gary kk wrote: »

Lol do you really think the UK would invade?

This is not about fighting the UK this is about looking after our own air space in a effective manner.

We can't even protect our economy!

My point is that there are better placed countries probably doing that already!

Sgt. Bilko 09 · 11-06-2021 11:52PM

Banana Republic 1 wrote: »

A do one! they are in a battle group with Australia who are the largest none nato contributing force

Australia are part of the AUSCANNZUKUS with New Zealand. They collaborate with NATO but they are not nato.

Fighter jets for the Air Corps?

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