[The Rapid Reaction forces required are the above-mentioned EU Battlegroups, mechanised infantry companies, which are to be deployed within 5-10 days of the approval of the European Council. They must be sustainable for at least 30 days or up to three months, and are composed of about 1500 to 3000 troops, with armed vehicles, air defence systems and helicopter gunships. Ireland has participated in Nordic and German-led battlegroups since 2008, contributing a Reconnaissance Company and related combat support elements (180 personnel]. Equipping Irish Defence Forces Irish defence forces at the moment are small: the Permanent Defence Force = 9500 personnel, comprising of 7500 army, 886 Air Corps, and 1100 naval service. The Army has two infantry Brigades, down from three since 2012 due to the economic downturn. There are also around 4000 in the Reserve Force. In 2012 Irish defence expenditure was only 0.55% of GDP (Austria: 0.8%. Sweden 1.13%, Finland 1.47%). The military budget was in 2007 €1.005 Billion (estimated) and Billion in 2010. By 2015 the budget had been cut to €1.354 885m euro and is projected to stay at that level until 2017 according to the latest Dept of Finance report. Despite this, Tom Clonan has pointed out that the Irish defence forces since 2000, have transformed significantly, from a force that did peacekeeping for one international organisation, the UN, to a force that has increasingly undertaken peace-enforcement or combat missions, not just for the UN but for NATO and the EU. (Irish Times, August 27, 2015). According to Tom Clonan, the closing down of barracks and the sale of military lands have enabled the Army to acquire new an upgraded equipment, “including fleet of high-tech armoured vehicles, helicopters and surface vessels. This has dramatically enhanced its military capability and facilitated its interoperability with EU and NATO forces In order to facilitate its more active worldwide.” military role internationally, the WP is calling for renewing our armoured assets, surface vessels, multi-role aircraft and helicopters. ******************* Army: Armoured Personnel Carriers: need to update or replace; Armoured logistical vehicles for overseas missions: small number to be procured. If funding available: more APCs, Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles. Additional air defence capabilities.
[The Rapid Reaction forces required are the above-mentioned EU Battlegroups, mechanised infantry companies, which are to be deployed within 5-10 days of the approval of the European Council. They must be sustainable for at least 30 days or up to three months, and are composed of about 1500 to 3000 troops, with armed vehicles, air defence systems and helicopter gunships. Ireland has participated in Nordic and German-led battlegroups since 2008, contributing a Reconnaissance Company and related combat support elements (180 personnel]. Equipping Irish Defence Forces Irish defence forces at the moment are small: the Permanent Defence Force = 9500 personnel, comprising of 7500 army, 886 Air Corps, and 1100 naval service. The Army has two infantry Brigades, down from three since 2012 due to the economic downturn. There are also around 4000 in the Reserve Force. In 2012 Irish defence expenditure was only 0.55% of GDP (Austria: 0.8%. Sweden 1.13%, Finland 1.47%). The military budget was €1.005 Billion in 2007 (estimated) and €1.354 Billion in 2010. By 2015 the budget had been cut to 885m euro and is projected to stay at that level until 2017 according to the latest Dept of Finance report. Despite this, Tom Clonan has pointed out that the Irish defence forces since 2000, have transformed significantly, from a force that did peacekeeping for one international organisation, the UN, to a force that has increasingly undertaken peace-enforcement or combat missions, not just for the UN but for NATO and the EU. (Irish Times, August 27, 2015). According to Tom Clonan, the closing down of barracks and the sale of military lands have enabled the Army to acquire new equipment, “including an upgraded fleet of high-tech armoured vehicles, helicopters and surface vessels. This has dramatically enhanced its military capability and facilitated its interoperability with EU and NATO forces worldwide.” In order to facilitate its more active military role internationally, the WP is calling for renewing our armoured assets, surface vessels, multi-role aircraft and helicopters. ******************* Army: Armoured Personnel Carriers: need to update or replace; Armoured logistical vehicles for overseas missions: small number to be procured. If funding available: more APCs, Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles. Additional air defence capabilities.
2015sept18galwayspeech.docx