Interesting articles

Markcheese

Have Leonardo already put in a bid ?

Leonardo were always going to get that contract , because of their factory in Taunton ?

Britain's plan for a single type of medium helicopter , and the economies of scale of a single large order seems to be falling apart ,

Military inflation ,( well everything inflation) and delays are eroding how many helicopters they can get for their billions , and they've already started singing seperate contracts for helicopters ..

roadmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122563996#Comment_122563996

Leonardo have put a bid in but it is not straight forward as figures have to be agreed. If the UK dont pull the plug there could be a good deal to be had by the Irish state as us going in with the UK and ordering several units could bring down the overall price and save the programme. But weather we want to be getting in bed with them is a different story.

Larbre34

You're getting about 30 steps ahead here.

First, we have procurement obligations the UK doesn't have. Second, we are in an entirely different market and economic place to them. Third, has anyone said we are in the market for the 149?

A cursory Top Trumps glance at the offerings shows the H175M to be the better machine, in my opinion.

Dohvolle

Airbus were going to build the H175-M in Wales, at their current facility there.

Either way, once it has "Made in UK" on it, Parliament will be happy.

Anyone else old enough to remember the Westland affair?

jonnybigwallet

I am Dohville. I remember Michael Heseltine standing up to government and party to keep the factory and jobs going.

Larbre34

It had little to do with jobs especially, as there type chosen was to be built in the UK in any case.

The affair had far more to do with factions of the Tory party, especially within the Tory cabinet, led by Thatcher on one side, and Heseltine on the other, trying to use the helicopter industry as a pawn to topple one another.

It very nearly took out Thatcher, but ultimately Leon Brittan was sacrificed and Heseltine ended up resigning in grandstanding fashion.

In the end, Sikorsky and Fiat acquired stakes in Westland and it ultimately ended up in Leonardo, via Finmeccanica. It still produces Lynx, Wildcat and Merlin helicopters at Yeovil to this day.

mupper2

Army Ranger Wing soldiers win international special forces sniping competition

The Army Ranger Wing team won the competition held in eastern Europe beating 26 other elite units

• NewsByMichael O'TooleCrime Correspondent

18:00, 2 SEP 2024

The Irish ARW operators defeated elite special forces soldiers from 26 other countries. (Image: Defence Forces/Óglaigh na hÉireann)

These soldiers from Ireland's elite military unit have beaten off stiff competition from other special forces teams to win an international sniping contest.

The Irish Mirror has learned that a team from the Army Ranger Wing came first in the competition held in eastern Europe – beating 26 other elite units along the way.

The Special Operations Tactical Sniper Competition, held in Latvia last month, is reserved for so-called tier one units – each country’s most elite and secretive unit.

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The Defence Forces declined to say what other units faced off against the ARW in the five day competition, but confirmed they were from the United States, Canada and Europe.

The competition took place in Latvia (Image: Defence Forces/Óglaigh na hÉireann)

But tier one units from those areas include the US Navy Seals and Delta Force, the Joint Task Force in Canada, Britain’s SAS, the 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment of France and the Divers and Raiders Grouping of the Italian Navy. In the competition, The ARW team were involved in complex, real world scenarios that tested their skills and teamwork of each team – during the day and at night.

Competition was stiff, but the Irish ARW came first. (Image: Defence Forces/Óglaigh na hÉireann)

It’s the first time the ARW has won the demanding exemption and Defence Forces bosses were delighted b the result. A spokesman said: “The ARW team's outstanding performance not only highlights their exceptional training and dedication but also establishes a benchmark for excellence in international military standards.

“This victory is a testament to the rigorous training and commitment of the ARW, and afforded them the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities alongside some of the best special operations forces in the world.

The ARW operators were tested in complex, real life scenarios. (Image: Defence Forces/Óglaigh na hÉireann)

“The success of the ARW team at this competition underscores the importance of continuous development and adaptation in military training, ensuring that personnel are well-prepared to meet the evolving challenges in the current security landscape.”

The spokesman also said the result was a significant milestone for the ARW. He said: “This achievement not only enhances the reputation of the Army Ranger Wing but also contributes to strengthening international military partnerships.

“As the ARW continues to engage in competitive events and collaborative training, this victory serves as a significant milestone in their ongoing mission to uphold the highest standards of operational excellence.”

The ARW is the Defence Forces' most elite unit - and its men are on call 24 hours a day. The unit, based in Co Kildare, is on standby every single day of the year to respond to any crisis that may arise anywhere in the state as aid to gardai. That could mean hostage rescue, undercover surveillance of dissident republican terrorists - or even protecting VIPs, like the Queen when she visited Ireland in 2011.

But the unit is also active abroad in more traditional military roles and has seen service in Somalia, Liberia, Chad and East Timor and Mali. And in 2021 it sent operators to Afghanistan to rescue more than 200 Irish citizens from the chaos of Kabul Airport.

The ARW risked their lives in 2021 to rescue Irish citizens from Kabul

Its highly trained soldiers are experts in guerrilla warfare, marksmanship, hostage rescue, parachuting and long range patrolling.
They have access to a wide range of weapons, including the Heckler and Koch HK416 assault rifle, the Minimi machine gun - and even the Javelin anti armour missile.

Around 40 soldiers try to pass ARW selection every year, but less than a dozen pass the gruelling process that sees them allowed into the unit - and wear the coveted green beret that marks them out as a Fianoglach, or Ranger.