Interesting articles

well for one, have you noticed the massive increase in Russian activities/violence across Africa? Or the overflight of one of our UNFIL bases by Russian helicopters? Or the expansion of non state actors that have vastly increased drone attacks across the globe since the high profile use of “relatively cheap” equipment in the war….

All of which will influence Peacekeeping/enforcing missions from now on, units/vehicles/bases are going to need counter UAV capabilities at the very least.

The whole global geopolitical system is fracturing, the 30 year post CW1, America is the only unassailable superpower is ending and we're all going to have to deal with the fallout from that….and that's before we even get to what climate change is going to do. They don't call it the age of perma-crisis for nothing.

But to get parochial about us, the gov has said repeatedly that we'll continue with PK/PE missions and the most likely area of those is Africa..well it's not 2008 in Chad any more. The day the worst you'd run across is lads on bikes with rusty AKs and a smoke belching T-55 is gone, the whole continent is now awash is russian and more importantly Chinese kit, from FPV to full up fixed wing armed UAS, arty, armour, missiles….M23 fighting in Congo has used guided mortar rounds supplied by the Rwandans..

hey nobody matches the DOD for studies and fluff pieces, the industry wishes it was that quick… But seriously, going from an order to hardware operational by 2028 is actually pushing it for anything that has to be built given how far we are likely to be down the list.

Perhaps we need to move to a higher LOA…EG: rename the A/C to the Irish Air and SPACE Force? As in "watch this space…we might buy a few more propellor air craft in ten years time"?

That article doesn't seem very accurate to me…the little inshore cutters bought on the cheap from NZ are only for operation in the Irish Sea. No role they are capable of doing year round on protecting cables off the west coast…..

at this stage surely they will cancel the program? Otherwise as you say Leonardo will do themselves an injury laughing so much.

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

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.