O’Dea brings Defence Budget for 2007 to over €1 Billion.
Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea TD is pleased to announce that the Defence Budget for 2007 has topped €1 Billion for the first time.*
Minister O’Dea has secured €1.005 Billion (gross) in the 2007 Estimates, which is an increase of €46 million on last year.
“The funding provided for 2007 means that major equipment purchases for the Defence Forces will continue and significant progress will be made on the Defence Forces building and barracks improvement programmes which are both key priorities for me and this Government,” stated Minister O’Dea.
“The level of investment by this Government on modern equipment and services alone in the Defence Forces in the last 10 years has topped more than €1.5 billion and over €335 million has been spent on upgrading barracks, buildings and infrastructure across the Defence Forces. By securing more than €1 billion in Estimates 2007, I have ensured that this level of progress will continue in 2007,” added the Minister.
“To highlight just some of the major areas where funding will go next year in terms of equipment, another fifteen armoured personnel carriers will be added to our current fleet of 65 at a cost of €36 million. They will be used mainly in the Surveillance and Reconnaissance roles on overseas missions. Four new utility AW 139 helicopters from Agusta S.p.A will be operational in 2007 at a cost of almost €50 million. The Air Corps’ two CASA maritime patrol aircraft will be upgraded at a cost of nearly €17 million. Planning is well underway on the replacement programme for three Naval Service patrol vessels under the 30 year rule. On this basis, two vessels will be due for replacement from 2007 to 2009” stated Minister O’Dea.
“In terms of barracks improvements and building upgrades €40 million will be spent next year on major building improvement works and upgrades of barracks accommodation across the country. This is a significant increase on last year’s allocation and is the third significant increase in a row,” added Minister O’Dea.
“Estimates 2007 is a good day for the Defence Forces. The €1 billion secured today will ensure that the men and women of Óglaigh na hEireann continue to be one of the best trained and best equipped Defence Forces in the world. I am proud to be able to play a part in that,” concluded Minister O’Dea.
* Estimate breakdown: €821 million Defence Estimate / €184 million Army Pensions Estimate
Significant Equipment Purchases: 2005-2006.
A programme for the purchase of NBC equipment is ongoing over recent years. The Defence Forces have available to them equipment for monitoring and protecting their members in dealing with Nuclear, Biological or Chemical (NBC) threats.
This range includes approximately 9,500 NBC suits, 800 of which were delivered in 2006. Other equipment on hands includes Respirators, Biological Agent Detector and Screening Kits, Group Decontamination Equipment and Personal Decontamination Equipment. Over €8m has been expended on this programme in recent years.
An order has been placed for the supply of 1400 new 9mm general service pistols. The value of the order is in the region of €800k. It is expected that the new pistols will be delivered by the end of this year. The pistols are carried for personal protection on security and regimental duties at home, and on overseas service.
400 General Purpose Machine Guns are due for delivery in late 2006. The value of the order is in the region of €4.4m.
Six Field Deployable Command Post Containers have recently been delivered to the Curragh Camp. The value of the order was almost €3m. Two of the containers have been deployed to Lebanon.
Integrated Protection and Load Carrying System:- (this includes Body Armour, Helmets and Back Packs (Rucksacks):
- 8,000 units of body armour for the individual soldier on operational duties have been ordered. The new body armour provides significantly greater protection, comfort and coverage than the old model as well as a doubling of the range of sizes available. The total value of the two orders is in the region of €8m and full delivery is expected by end 2006.
- 12,000 helmets have been delivered. The value of the order was circa. €2.5m.
- 12,000 rucksacks have been ordered at a total cost of €3m, delivery to take place in 2007.
- To complete the modern integrated protection and load carrying system, a competition is currently in train for the acquisition of 12,000 Battle Vests used by the individual soldier for the carriage of essential items such as ammunition, personal radio, water and ancillary equipment.
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