Armée Irlandaise/Irish Armed Forces

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Irish Defence Force Choose MineWolf Solutions

Earlier this year, the Irish Defence Force (IDF) purchased two Mini MineWolf (MW240) machines complete with flail attachments to give them the capability to deploy with the machines anywhere they need in the world. As part of the package MineWolf Systems provided a training course for IDF operators and mechanics, run in February and March at the Defence Training School in Ireland.

The training was conducted by two Mine-Wolf Instructors for 10 Irish Army students who had a good range of practical and mechanical experience.

The practical part of the operators’ course was conducted on an Army training area near Cork. The ground was exceptionally soft and muddy but both students and the machines came through with flying colours. The Irish Defence Force are now the ninth military force to be using MineWolf technology.

defpro

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sept 18, 2012
Pirates gardez-vous ! Les rangers wing (irlandais) arrivent…

Nicolas Gros-Verheyde /Piraterie /

(BRUXELLES2) La décision a été gardée au secret. Et les préparatifs ont été on ne peut plus discrets. Mais il semble bien que l’unité d’élite de l’armée irlandaise, les Ranger wing (ARW) vont bientôt gagner l’Océan indien pour faire face aux pirates. L’Etat-Major de l’armée ainsi que le cabinet (le gouvernement) d’Irlande devraient donner bientôt leur feu vert à l’engagement des commandos, révèle The Irish Independent, un des quotidiens nationaux.

30 de ses membres seront ainsi déployés – dont 3 équipes de six équipes spécialisés dans l’assaut – pour une durée de 4 à 6 mois. Ils seront plus particulièrement chargés de la protection des navires du Programme alimentaire mondial (ou de l’Amisom – la force de paix de l’Union africaine déployée en Somalie).

L’entraînement des rangers s’est déroulé très discrètement, voire secrètement, durant toute l’année, avec notamment un exercice grandeur nature effectué de nuit au large du roc de Tuskar. Réunissant un avion de surveillance maritime Casa et un cargo jouant le rôle de cible, il a permis de déployer les commandos à bord de canots hors-bord et d’hélicoptères Agusta AW 139. « Chacun des aspects de l’exercice a été traité comme si ce qui se passait dans la réalité. Tout a été filmé du Casa et revu ensuite » explique un militaire à nos confrères irlandais. Les rangers avaient déjà été déployés au Tchad en force d’entrée, dès février 2008, pour reconnaitre le terrain et préparer l’installation du camp irlandais près de Goz Beïda ; l’opération ayant été placée alors sous commandement d’un général irlandais, Pat Nash (lire ici).

C’est une première pour les Irlandais qui n’ont jamais été impliqués directement sur zone. Mais c’est assez logique à l’approche de la présidence de l’Union européenne ; l’Irlande prenant en effet en janvier la présidence (tournante) de l’Union Européenne. Avec les Roumains (lire : Des Roumains à bord), l’opération anti-piraterie de l’Union européenne renouvelle ainsi les Etats participants.

http://www.bruxelles2.eu/?s=en

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CN235

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Irish Minister of Defense Alan Shatter said Wednesday he proposes to seek the approval of the government for participation in the planned EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) as part of a joint training contingent with the British armed forces. In total, approximately 200 military training personnel will be deployed as part of the EU training mission in Mali. Four infantry training teams each comprising 24 military trainers will be provided within the mission

http://www.armyrecognition.com/

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Northolt ( UK ) 14-3-13

AW-139

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ACMAT Defense to deliver 3 VLRA 4.43 light tactical trucks for Irish Army Special Forces.

The French Company ACMAT delivered 3 VLRA 4.43 light tactical truck after winning a tender with Irish Defence Forces (IDF). These vehicles are designed to equip Irish Rangers (ARW), Irish Special Forces regiment based in Kildare. The ACMAT VLRA is a light tactical all-wheeled truck designed especialyy for military, security and special forces. It offers high mobility, payload and protection to meet the mission requirements of the military forces. The VLRA family of vehicles are in service with the armed forces of over 50 nations.
Friday, April 12, 2013, 01:49 PM

http://www.armyrecognition.com/

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These photos are of the last shoot of the Panhard AML 90 Armoured Vehicle and were taken on 30 April 2013 in the Glen of Imaal by Airman Jason Byrne.

Panhard armoured vehicles were first introduced into service with the Defence Forces in 1964 and soon after, AML 60s were deployed on overseas service to Cyprus (UNFICYP). Over a period of almost fifty years, the Panhard armoured fleet has seen extensive service both at home and abroad including firing in action in the Battle of At Tiri in Lebanon in 1980, as a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) to injured civilians during the Grapes of Wrath offensive in Lebanon in 1996 and were used in an armoured reconnaissance role during violence in Monrovia, Liberia when intensive rioting began in 2004.

Following an upgrade programme in the 1990s which included dieselisation and re-turreting, the operational life of the vehicles was extended. However the Panhard fleet of AML 90s and 20s has now reached the end of its operational life.

All Panhard AML 90 and AML 20 vehicles currently in service with the Defence Forces became non-operational on the 1st of May 2013 and have been withdrawn from service.

LTAV .. le remplaçant

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 2nd Artillery Regiment Shoot-120mm Mortars and 105mm Light Guns, July 2013  

  DF Chief of Staff designate Major General Conor O'Boyle visits 2 Artillery Regiment who were conducting 120 Heavy Mortar and 105 Gun live firing in the Glen of Imaal yesterday.
The shoot included newly trained gunners who have joined the unit as a result of the recent re-org and integrated Reserve Defence Members from 4 & 5 Bty of the Regiment.

Selection of Photos from : Airman Neville Coughlan? Airman Jason Byrne? A/seaman Davy Jones  

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SHARPEYE From Kelvin Hughes Selected By Irish Naval Service For Fleet Radar Upgrade


Kelvin Hughes, a world leader in the design and supply of navigation and surveillance systems, is delighted to announce that the Irish Naval Service has selected the SharpEye™ radar and the MantaDigital™ display for the incremental upgrade of its fleet.
Ships of the Irish Naval Service operate in some of the harshest maritime conditions, including the North Atlantic, and the decision in favour of SharpEye™ was strongly influenced by the enhanced situational awareness that the radar system can provide, particularly in adverse conditions and high sea states. Under the terms of the contract, the upgrades will take place over a three year period as vessels become available for or require a refit.
Available in both I and E/F band frequencies, the SharpEye™ radar system represents a radical and innovative departure from current marine navigation radar technology in that it has no magnetron and uses a coherent transmission, making it capable of separating small targets from clutter due to their differing radial velocity components. The MantaDigital™ workstation is a multi-function display platform, which can host radar, ECDIS and conning functionality on a wide-screen display surface.

Rohan Dearlove, Kelvin Hughes’ Head of Sales Central Region, commented: “We’re delighted to be working with the Irish Naval Service with whom we have had a long association. The enhanced performance of SharpEye™ will undoubtedly enable the Service’s vessels to operate more effectively.”

http://www.navyrecognition.com

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   Mission Readiness Exercise of the 42nd Infantry Group, UNIFIL in the Glen of Imaal, Wicklow.

The troops are scheduled to deploy in late November 2013 and will consist of 181 Defence Forces personnel. The contingent has a wide range of capabilities affording excellent operational effectiveness. These include armored force protection, patrolling, communications, medical and operational expertise. The personnel of the unit have a mix of experience from first trip soldiers and officers to highly experienced senior non commissioned officers and commanders.

Photos by Cpl Neville Coughlan, DF PR Branch





 

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Irish vessel launched from Appledore shipyard


AROUND 100 people gathered to watch an Irish Navy ship launch from Appledore shipyard yesterday (Sun).
The ship, named LÉ Samuel Beckett after the world renowned Irish literary figure, floated out of Babcock Marine just before 5pm.
LÉ Samuel Beckett was played out by the Appledore Town Band as a lull in the wind allowed the operation to go ahead.
The ship is 90 metre long and 14 metres wide.
During the float out, the band played the Irish National Anthem and the ship was blessed and cheered on its way.





http://www.northdevongazette.co.uk/news/photos_irish_vessel_launched_from_appledore_shipyard_1_2963114

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Northern Ireland Police UAS Helps Defuse Terrorist Explosive Device



The Police Service of Northern Ireland has confirmed that the UAS technology was used to help keep the community, police and Army officers safe as a “small, viable device” was defused in Jamaica Street in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast.Known as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), three of the small remote controlled aircraft were purchased by the PSNI at a cost of £1m ahead of last June’s meeting of world leaders.
They were used to fly over the area around the summit venue to ensure the protection of the visiting dignitaries.
A number of homes had to be evacuated during yesterday’s alert and the road closed when the suspect object was reported to police at around 2.30pm. Locals raised the alarm after seeing an object being thrown at two men in the street.
The unmanned aircraft, operated by a member of the PSNI Air Support Unit, flew over the device for an aerial inspection, relaying images back to bomb disposal officers before it was defused.
A PSNI spokesman said: “As part of the response and in order to keep the community, police and Army officers safe a limited aerial capability was required.
“These systems are flown in accordance with Civil Aviation Authority approval.”
The device was taken away. Residents were allowed back into their homes and the road reopened around 8pm.
The UAS are operated by trained security personnel within the line of sight of the craft.
Following this latest policing deployment, UAS may be used in both urban and rural environments for traffic management, searches for missing or wanted persons, public order situations and for evidence gathering. After the decision to purchase three drones was made in April this year, Policing Board chair Brian Rea described the new equipment as “a valuable asset” to the PSNI in policing a range of situations.
A full review of the use of the UAS will be carried out by the office of the Oversight Commissioner after a year of operation to assess their effectiveness.

http://www.uasvision.com/2013/11/07/northern-ireland-police-uas-helps-defuse-terrorist-explosive-device/

  

PHOTOS:

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Ireland orders Protector RWS for Piranha III APCs




The Irish Defence Forces have signed a contract with Kongsberg Defence Systems to equip Ireland's General Dynamics European Land Systems - MOWAG Piranha III armoured personnel carriers (APCs) with the Kongsberg Protector remote weapon station (RWS).
Ireland currently operates some 80 Piranha III APCs, first ordered in 2001, with the new RWS forming part of a general upgrade of the vehicles.
Announced on 10 January, the contract will see Kongsberg supply a first batch of RWSs for the APCs. As part of the upgrade programme, Kongsberg will eventually provide Protector M151 RWSs for all of Ireland's Piranha IIIs over a five-year period, beginning in September 2014.

http://www.janes.com/article/32205/ireland-orders-protector-rws-for-piranha-iii-apcs

Bofors L70  

  

PHOTOS:

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Irish Naval Service receives first new OPV



The Irish Naval Service (INS) has taken delivery of the first of two offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), built by Babcock Marine's Appledore shipyard under a GBP82 million (USD137 million) contract.
The 1,900-tonne vessel, LE Samuel Beckett , was handed over to the INS on 28 April and will enter service later this year after a period of trials. The vessel will be based at Haulbowline in County Cork.
Ireland ordered two Samuel Beckett-class vessels in October 2010, with an option for a third. The second will be named LE James Joyce , with the vessels replacing the INS’ 65 m P21-class OPVs. The vessels are themselves based on STX Marine's PV 90 design, which is a lengthened variant of the PV 80 design employed for the INS’ two 1,700-ton Roisin-class OPVs; built by Appledore Shipbuilders for the INS between 1998 and 2001.
The vessels are armed with an Oto Melara 76 mm main gun and two 20 mm Rheinmetall cannons and have mountings for machine guns.
The Samuel Beckett class is powered by a diesel-electric drive system providing a top speed of 23 kt and a range of 6,000 n miles. Designed for a crew of 44, the vessel will undertake fishery protection duties, drug interdiction, and maritime security operations.

http://www.janes.com/article/37169/irish-naval-service-receives-first-new-opv

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L’Irlande modernise sa flotte de Cessna ultra-polyvalents

http://www.avionslegendaires.net/2014/05/actu/lirlande-modernise-sa-flotte-de-cessna-ultra-polyvalents/

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First Babcock-built Irish Naval Service Offshore Patrol Vessel named and commissioned


The first-of-class LÈ Samuel Becket was named by Mrs Caroline Murphy, a niece of Samuel Beckett, in Dublin this weekend alongside the Samuel Beckett Bridge. The naming was followed by the commissioning ceremony which was led by Mr Enda Kenny TD, Irish Prime Minister (An Taoiseach) and Minister for Defence, who made the main speech.

The first of the Irish Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) being built by Babcock for the Irish Naval Service has been officially named and commissioned today, following successful completion of sea trials and handover at Babcock's Appledore shipyard in North Devon at the end of April 2014.
The first of the Irish Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) being built by Babcock for the Irish Naval Service has been officially named and commissioned May 17 2014, following successful completion of sea trials and handover at Babcock's Appledore shipyard in North Devon at the end of April 2014.

LÈ Samuel Becket will be operational with immediate effect undertaking a range of duties including fishery protection, search and rescue, anti-pollution and maritime security duties, including vessel boardings. To conduct these operations a crew of 44, plus ten trainee berths, are accommodated to high comfort and habitability standards.

The approx 90 metre, 2256 tonne OPV has autonomous engine rooms and is capable of a top speed of 23 knots, and a range of 6,000 nautical miles at its cruise speed of 15 knots on a single engine. The propulsion system utilises a diesel electric drive system providing a loiter function of up to 6 knots. A comprehensive command, control and communications package is coupled to the main weapon; a 76mm gun, as well as two 20mm cannons and four general purpose machine guns. The vessel is also equipped with configurable, serviced mission modules, with deck space to operate mission specific equipment, and to act as a mother ship for two fully independent fast pursuit Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats (RIBs). It is designed to provide an operational capability for many years of service in the North Atlantic, its main area of operation.

Commenting on the completion and handover Babcock Shipbuilding Director, Andrew Hamilton, said: “We are delighted and proud to have successfully built, trialled and delivered this first of class OPV to the Irish Naval Service. The success of this project has been brought about by the close co-operation of our customer, suppliers and industry. LÈ Samuel Beckett demonstrates that a commercial build coupled with commercial off the shelf equipment can give a high level of capability within the budgeted cost.”

LÈ Samuel Becket is the first of two such OPVs being built by Babcock for the Irish Naval Service at Appledore (where Ireland’s current OPVs LÈ Roisin and Niamh were also built in the late 1990s - early 2000s). Keel laying for the second OPV took place in November last year, with float-up scheduled for early November 2014 and sea trials and delivery taking place in early 2015.

http://www.navyrecognition.com