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A LARGE CONTINGENT of Irish military officers and civil service personnel travelled to a major arms fair in London last week as work continues on the purchase of new equipment for the Defence Forces – including, potentially, new vehicles, ships and aircraft.
The Journal has learned that more than a dozen people made the journey to the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) event, which is a British Government-backed showcase of military hardware.
They were a joint Defence Forces and Department of Defence team and included senior officers as well as civil servants who are directly involved in the decision-making process.
The government have stressed the need for increased investment in the military amid an increasing number of threats to the country. The trips was part of a major modernisation programme, after the Commission on the Defence Forces report of 2022 found glaring deficiencies in Irish capabilities.
Sources said the team who travelled had a series of meetings with British experts and the Ministry of Defence in London.
It is understood that some of the topics discussed at the event were around naval procurement as well as issues like the command structure and design of the army.
A British company offered assistance around the buying of a new multi-purpose naval vessel and showcased their Type 31 Frigate. Previously The Journal has reported that Irish Navy experts are keen to examine the purchase of such frigates as they proceed with plans to procure a Multi Role Combat Vessel.
The army contingent, along with their colleagues in the Department of Defence, also had meetings with British experts in force design. It’s understood the British assessments were that the army would have to double in size beyond the plan currently envisaged by Irish defence reports in order to meet mission requirements.
The information gathered on the trip will be fed back into the redesign of the structures of the Defence Forces currently underway and to the team selecting the new equipment.
It has also been confirmed that a team from DOD travelled to the Paris Air Show, which is one of the world’s foremost displays of military and civilian aviation equipment.
A source said that the Irish Air Corps are close to launching a competition to find new medium lift helicopters to replace their current ailing fleet of AgustaWestland 139s. It is believed this purchase and other aircraft were examined on that trip.
There is a lot of talk amongst security sources about the possibility of purchasing jet fighters to act as an indigenous air policing capability.
It is understood that an internal report has been completed suggesting the possible acquisition of a small number of jets and that they would be based at Shannon Airport.
It is believed, from multiple sources, that there are concerns in the Irish Air Corps base in Baldonnel that the State may miss an opportunity to make a cost effective purchase if they delay. It is understood that two potential manufacturers, from Sweden and Korea, are the most likely option as other options like a French aircraft are too expensive.
In a statement the Department of Defence confirmed the trips to the London and Paris events.
They said DOD officials and members of the Defence Forces attended DSEI in the British capital from 9 to 12 September.
It described DSEI as a major biennial trade exhibition that covers all aspects of national security and defence, including air, space, land, naval, security, cyber, and joint operations.
It said attendance includes military delegations, government agencies, and academics from around the world.
“Attendance at DSEI provides an opportunity for Defence planners to meet with existing suppliers of defence equipment and services, to engage with counterparts and also to view the latest technologies and innovations in the defence sector.
“It is an opportunity to conduct market research which informs the planning and procurement process for equipment purchases,” a spokesman said.
DOD officials, the statement said, also went in June to the Paris Air Show with Air Corps personnel.
It said the event is “the world’s largest aerospace event, held biennially at Le Bourget Airport and represents an excellent opportunity for officials to conduct industry research and explore developments in the global aerospace and defence industries”.
“As with DSEI, attendance at the Paris Air Show presents an opportunity for officials to meet both manufacturers and service suppliers in the aviation field, and to view the latest technologies and innovations in the defence sector. Attendance represents an opportunity to conduct early market research into future defence procurements in the aviation space,” the spokesman said.
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