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.
Given the reported issues with numbers for them if nothing else. But yeah there’s a lot that the base needs, like everywhere else of course.
In relation to Gormanstown being a main training base would they not be better of taking back Cavan, Mullingar or Longford where the infastructure is in place with just refurb needed and use them as the training base. I presume new building will have to be built in gormanstown for this to work there?
Of course you can they are still state owned. They can simply transfer the ownership back
To be honest, given what you’d likely have to spend “refurbishing” I think a new purpose built option is actually the better investment.
Completely agree.
None of those former, small, Urban/Suburban Barracks mentioned are suitable for the expansion required, nor the noisier and more challenging aspects of 2-Star level training.
Gormanstown is over 1 million square metres of a site, has loads of scope for new infrastructure and its neighbours are well used to live firing drills.
Is there going to be any timeframe or KPIs for putting the parts of the Commisions report that government are gping to do
The Implementation Group (to be Chaired independently) will endorse the delivery action plans and report on performance.
I think those plans are to be made available to the Minister and presumably the Implementation Group before year end.
It looks like casement is staying long term. Hanger upgrades, New Medical Facility and now a etender out for design of New Ordance Stores and Guardroom
They're gettin it ready for the new jets!
But not necessarily long term as an airbase eh?
Stuff like this makes the scope of PESCO look completely redundant. Because it is.
These guys are saying '**** the EU Procurement', going straight to the manufacturers they know and trust and giving them a shopping list. Thats wartime inventory building.
If only the Irish Government had the balls to piggyback this process, talk to NATO and say, 'look, we aren't going to join up and fight with you if it comes to it, BUT, we understand your logic about 'sky shield' and if you help us fast track equipment purchase, we will look after our own back yard and at least plug a potential weak spot.
But think about the landing fees in Shannon airport and all the sambos that where sold
Gormanston has enough existing infrastructure. You could train up to 100 or so troops at at time.
It really doesn't lack anything, its actually superior in scope to city barracks'.
The Air Corps have Tender out today for a company Train its staff for Air Traffic Control. Good sign of things to come
All good signs they are not throwing the towel in
At last some sensiable thinking. The state is looking at joint purchasing with our EU friends. The Mowags replacment could be part of this as well as aircraft
https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2022/11/15/ireland-backs-push-for-joint-eu-military-procurement/
Should really be everything imo, whether that's small arms, munitions, vehicles, planes or ships.
And if the argument is either the DOD can’t handle multiple large scale procurements simultaneously, or are afraid of “EU regulations” then going with a bigger order should help there. If there is any serious intention of some sort of anti mine capability for the NS, why design our own when there’s a major European project designing and building them right now for multiple nations for example.
100%
I've said it before on here, we have no need to be an early adopter or bespoke builder. Our needs are tiny, proven, durable tech OTS will fulfil everything we need.
Glad to see the EU procurement proposal. Its essentially the next natural step in PESCO, bulk savings.
No doubt the naysayers will be out expecting the Minuteman transporters to be rolling down the N7 any day.
I wonder privately are they thinking Boxer apcs, The Dutch/Belgian/french MCM etc. Is there any EU countries looking at a MRV?
Think the Portuguese have been looking at some sort of LPD, not sure what they are going with though, can't think of anyone else that is looking for something like a MRV?
I see the Cavan Monaghan college will be leaving cavan army barracks long term for a new college in the town. Could this lead to the army returning to cavan?
If the air corps keep 112 it would be a good place to base it with the new service in the south
100% no.
I see a defence review is to be conducted… I thought the Commission on Defence did a fairly decent job - I hope not more paralysis by analysis - at this point the reform process needs some early, tangible wins to help stem the outflow and help build morale … certainly these things are not done in a day but it is hard to maintain morale in an organisation where the bad news is relentless
Looking at it, I don’t think there is much “stepping on toes” between this new announcement and the Commission. This seems geared towards cyber and hybrid threats, given we still never had the national plan released.
https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2022/12/06/new-major-irish-national-security-review-to-examine-russian-aggression-and-chinese-cyberattacks/
"It would be unwise to make any major changes until the report is finished". Or something along those lines
Clarification is not to clarify things. It is to put one’s self in the clear (Sir Humphrey Appleby)
To be fair, the strategic threat environment is about more than defence, its about intelligence too and ours is paltry.
The strategic risk level has changed utterly since 2019, so much so that I think they're as well off starting with a blank sheet of paper. Also NSAC was only getting on its feet in '19, they should carry this new review out as an established lead advisor to the Government. Who knows, maybe they'll show the DoD a thing or two.
Will Defence stay with FA next week ?
