Future of warfare (How should Ireland build their millitary)

In general, I'm speaking in general lol.

Oldmariner or something is who I was replying to I think. I do tend to ramble though.

Do we need to bullet-point **** here? A powerpoint presentation or something?

It's not difficult to follow my train of thought if you have an ounce of wit about you. Sir.

I think this is true not just in the air but of all the services.

But these forums are not interested in a gradual buildup up capability, or moderate measures. So any discussion that isn't a huge ramp up in capability, will be not be welcome.

We are already part of a bloc, being a member of the EU.

We can make a sensible contribution to the defence of Europe by picking from defence tasks and equip to do that well in consort with others . As an Island we are in a Marine environment and should be skilled at Marine landings, Mining and clearing mines, detecting and dealing with submarines, surveillance in all dimensions, helicopters for troop insertion land and sea, MPA with ASM, all arms air defence capability, and land mobile response units with strike missiles.

As a Naval contribution think One MRV, Four 115m Vard's, 4 MCM vessels, two minelaying vessels, Twelve 25 knot + attack torpedo craft, and two bases on west and east coasts. In addition we must up our use of offensive drone technology. Some of the skills required passed through the Service from 1940's to 1971 and were allowed lapse. What you do has to be relevant and not just observing and reporting.

The vessels involved in last weeks AS exercise west of Scotland has a Canadian Frigate ( H) weekending in Cork. We should be capable of joining such teams.

Course, the Fishermen would be quick to start complaining about that as well…

Ah wait till “the sonar is ruining the fish” argument comes out…

are you suggesting logic from the fishing industry? Next you’ll be saying farmers might stop complaining about the weather…

I have always believed Ireland erroneously focused its core reserve in Combat units, instead of Combat service support. This is where civilian skills could be put to best use, more so in time of emergency. For many years in the UK, for example, the majority of Logs units were reservists. The heavy plant operators and maintainers,drove their trucks and plant during the week, but during annual exercises, deployed to Canada and Germany on exercise with the main body of troops, bringing their skills with them. Skills many had learnt during their earlier time in uniform anyway.

To simplify the idea somewhat, during the harsh winter some years ago, we saw soldiers on the streets from an infantry unit shovelling snow with hand shovels. Surely the same amount of CoE sappers,qualified on mechanical diggers would have made a much greater impact on the community? In times of natural disaster, you want all hands on, but also you need the guys who can operate chainsaws, cranes, the riggers, the electricians to get the country going again.

No offence intended to the infantryman filling sandbags.

Our biggest problems are to recreate the modern versions of the skills and equipments that have been deleted from our OB. When we deleted equipment , the DOD also went for disposal of the primary assets such as all the Coastal Forts. They also got rid of major Posts , Barracks, and Hospitals and large acreage facilities. We need mobile CDM, ADM systems , and Long range ARTY, and geo-positions to fire from. The Navy needs a restored Defensive/Offensive edge and likewise the Air Corps. The Surveillance task, and who will do it, needs to b clearly identified and co-ordinated.

The major danger at all times is the propensity of elected parliamentarians to shut down or curtail major State assets and in the long term leave the country totally dependent on others far afield. Lastly the provision of port facilities is a decision and matter for Government through the ACTS as appropriate.