Senior Officers fear SAR privatization threatens future of Irish Air Corps
Thread Starter
Senior Officers fear SAR privatization threatens future of Irish Air Corps
The Irish Times reported on security concerns raised by unamed Defence Force Officer over the possible basing of FW aircraft for SAR top cover in the UK, gathering data outside of Irish control. Contained in the story, and more concerning for some of us perhaps, are fears expressed that the viability of the Air Corps is threatened.
"According to informed sources, Air Corps officers, including its commanding officer Brig Gen Rory O’Connor, have also raised concerns about the future viability of the Air Corps if it is entirely excluded from SAR operations."
Full story can be found here: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/irel...ions-1.4401313
"According to informed sources, Air Corps officers, including its commanding officer Brig Gen Rory O’Connor, have also raised concerns about the future viability of the Air Corps if it is entirely excluded from SAR operations."
Full story can be found here: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/irel...ions-1.4401313
Some of Ireland’s search and rescue (SAR) functions may be carried out by aircraft based in the UK, raising concerns among senior Irish military officers.
Private companies will shortly be asked to tender for a €60-million-a-year contract to provide a new SAR service to replace the current service provided by the Irish Coast Guard, CHC Ireland and the Air Corps.
The winning bidder will likely be required to base four SAR helicopters at Irish bases. It will also be required to provide a fixed-wing aircraft or drone to provide top cover for rescue missions and be available on a 24-hour basis .
Private companies will shortly be asked to tender for a €60-million-a-year contract to provide a new SAR service to replace the current service provided by the Irish Coast Guard, CHC Ireland and the Air Corps.
The winning bidder will likely be required to base four SAR helicopters at Irish bases. It will also be required to provide a fixed-wing aircraft or drone to provide top cover for rescue missions and be available on a 24-hour basis .
Clandestine
About six private aircraft companies are expected to bid for the contract, of which at least two have fixed-wing aircraft based in the UK. At least one of these is also contracted to do clandestine work for the UK’s ministry of defence.
Irish officers are concerned about the intelligence implications of allowing UK-based aircraft to collect data over Ireland as they provide top cover for rescue missions.
“The main worry is control of the data. It’s not that we wouldn’t necessarily give this data to the UK if they asked for it. But if the planes are flying out of an English airfield we have zero control over it,” a military source said
About six private aircraft companies are expected to bid for the contract, of which at least two have fixed-wing aircraft based in the UK. At least one of these is also contracted to do clandestine work for the UK’s ministry of defence.
Irish officers are concerned about the intelligence implications of allowing UK-based aircraft to collect data over Ireland as they provide top cover for rescue missions.
“The main worry is control of the data. It’s not that we wouldn’t necessarily give this data to the UK if they asked for it. But if the planes are flying out of an English airfield we have zero control over it,” a military source said
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Well it’s pretty plain from the story that the whole intelligence claim is a fig leaf for the real concern expressed later - that if the Air Corps lose the contract it imperils their existence. Which means the current contract more than covers its cost and is used as a means of providing the Air Corps with funding.
The obvious answer for that isn’t to give them next contract, where their bid, if it has to cover other costs, will undoubtedly exceed that of the other bidders - but for the Irish government to work out what tasks, exactly, they want the Air Corps to perform, and fund them accordingly.
The obvious answer for that isn’t to give them next contract, where their bid, if it has to cover other costs, will undoubtedly exceed that of the other bidders - but for the Irish government to work out what tasks, exactly, they want the Air Corps to perform, and fund them accordingly.
They already contract out their night fixed wing aeromedical cover.
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
Posts: 7,812
Received 137 Likes
on
64 Posts
Well it’s pretty plain from the story that the whole intelligence claim is a fig leaf for the real concern expressed later - that if the Air Corps lose the contract it imperils their existence. Which means the current contract more than covers its cost and is used as a means of providing the Air Corps with funding.
The obvious answer for that isn’t to give them next contract, where their bid, if it has to cover other costs, will undoubtedly exceed that of the other bidders - but for the Irish government to work out what tasks, exactly, they want the Air Corps to perform, and fund them accordingly.
The obvious answer for that isn’t to give them next contract, where their bid, if it has to cover other costs, will undoubtedly exceed that of the other bidders - but for the Irish government to work out what tasks, exactly, they want the Air Corps to perform, and fund them accordingly.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/c...pers-dc6hrp29w
