List of equipment of the Irish Army

Irish Army
Components
Equipment
Personnel
Rank Insignia

This is a partial list of the equipment of the Irish Army, the land component of the Irish Defence Forces.

Weapons

[edit]

While the Army Ranger Wing has access to a wider variety of specialist weapons, the modern weapons in use within the Irish Army includes the following:

Name Origin Type Caliber Photo Notes
Pistols
Heckler & Koch USP  Germany Semi-automatic pistol 9×19mm Parabellum The USP entered service in 2007 as the Defence Force's standard service pistol, replacing the Browning Hi-Power.[1]
Assault rifles
Steyr AUG  Austria Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO The Steyr AUG is the Defence Force's standard service rifle. It entered service in 1989 and is in use with all units of the Defence Forces.[2] Operational units are issued an enhanced rifle fitted with an ACOG 4x32 optical sight starting to enter service in late 2014, known as the Model 14 or MOD 14.
Rifles & Sniper rifles
FN FAL  Belgium Battle rifle 7.62×51mm NATO The FN FAL was previously the standard service rifle for the Defence Forces. Older FAL rifles were upgraded with an adjustable butt stock, Picatinny-style rail hand guard, a bipod, and a Schmidt & Bender sight for use as sniper support weapons.[3] In January 2021, the Defence Forces stated a replacement was being sought.[4][better source needed]
Accuracy International 92  United Kingdom Sniper rifle 7.62×51mm NATO The AI 92 Sniper Rifle entered Irish Army service in 1992.[2]
Accuracy International AWM  United Kingdom Sniper rifle 8.6×70mm (.338 LM) The AWM entered service in 2011. The Irish Army version is chambered for the .338 Lapua Magnum round.[3]
Machine guns
FN MAG  Belgium General-purpose machine gun 7.62×51mm NATO The FN MAG entered service in 1964 with the Defence Forces and is in use with all service branches and a number of Army Corps. It is deployed both with bipod or in a sustained fire (SF) role mounted on a tripod by the Infantry. Both the Infantry and Cavalry use the MAG mounted on its armoured vehicles and the Infantry and Artillery use it in the air defense role.[2]
M2 Browning .5 Heavy Machine Gun (HMG)  United States
 Belgium 		Heavy machine gun 12.7×99mm NATO

(.50 BMG)

The M2 Heavy Machine Gun entered service in the 1970s. It is in use with all service branches and a number of Army Corps. The Infantry use it in the sustained fire role, air defense role and mounted on its MOWAG APCs. The Artillery use it in the air defense role and the Cavalry use it mounted on its armoured vehicles.[2]
Grenades
Mecar M72 HE Grenade  Belgium Fragmentation hand grenade n/a
Grenade launchers
Diemaco M203 grenade launcher  Canada Grenade launcher 40×46mm LV The M203 is in use with the Defence Forces. It is mounted to the Steyr AUG rifle and employs its own separate sighting and trigger mechanism.[2]
Heckler & Koch GMG  Germany Automatic grenade launcher 40×53mm HV Used fitted to MOWAG APCs and Army Ranger Wing vehicles.
Anti-tank weapons
AT4 Short Range Anti-Armour Weapon (SRAAW)  Sweden Anti-tank weapon 84 mm The AT4 entered service in 1997. The SRAAW is a recoilless, preloaded disposable weapon.[2]
Carl Gustav 84mm Anti-Armour Weapon  Sweden Anti-tank weapon 84 mm The Carl Gustav 84mm is a recoilless, breech-loaded anti-armour weapon.[2]
Javelin Anti-tank guided weapon  United States Anti-tank weapon 127mm The Javelin is a fire-and-forget anti-armour weapon system and entered service in 2003.[5]
Mortars
Denel Vektor M1 60mm Mortar  South Africa Mortar 60 mm The Vektor 60mm Mortar entered service in 2003 with the Infantry. The 60 mm mortar can also be fired in a commando role by removing the bipod and baseplate and fitting a special small baseplate and attaching sighting unit/handgrip.[2]
Hotchkiss Brandt 81mm Mortar  France Mortar 81mm The 81mm Mortar uses the C2 AI Sight Unit and a Morfire Fire Control Computer.[2] (In total 84 mortars in active service)[6]
RUAG M87 120mm Mortar  Switzerland Mortar 120mm Used by Artillery Regiments heavy mortar batteries. (In total 24 mortars in active service)[6]
Autocannons
Mk44 Bushmaster II  United States Autocannon 30×173mm Fitted to Cavalry Mowag Medium Reconnaissance Vehicle's (MRV).
Artillery
Ordnance QF 25-pounder  United Kingdom Field gun 87.6mm 48 ex-British Mark IIIs acquired in 1949. Withdrawn from the Army in 1981 and from the Reserve in 2009. Six have been retained for ceremonial gun salutes.[7]
105mm L118 light gun  United Kingdom Howitzer 105mm Along with the L119, these are used as the primary artillery support weapon. (In total 17 guns in active service)[6]
105mm L119 light gun  United Kingdom Howitzer 105 mm Along with the L118, these are used as the primary artillery support weapon. (In total 6 guns in active service)[6]
Air-defence
Bofors 40 mm L/70  Sweden Anti-aircraft autocannon 40 × 365 mm R Paired with eight Flycatcher (KL/MSS-6720). (24 guns in active service as of 2003)[8] (Removed from service in 2012)[citation needed]
RBS-70 Missile system  Sweden Man-portable air-defense system 106mm A number of launchers and a simulator were acquired in 1981. Upgraded in 2006 and "more than a dozen" upgraded in 2014 for €4.4 million to include deliveries of improved firing units, new simulators, night vision equipment and associated weapons support.[9] (In Total 6 launchers in active service)[8]
Army Ranger Wing (special forces)
H&K USP9 Tactical  Germany Semi-automatic pistol 9×19mm Parabellum [10]
SIG Sauer P226  Switzerland
 West Germany 		Semi-automatic pistol 9×19mm Parabellum [11]
SIG Sauer P228  Switzerland
 West Germany 		Semi-automatic pistol 9×19mm Parabellum [10]
FN Five-seveN  Belgium Semi-automatic pistol FN 5.7×28mm [10]
Heckler & Koch MP5  West Germany Submachine gun 9×19mm Parabellum A3, SD6, F, and K variants [10][11]
FN P90TR  Belgium Submachine gun FN 5.7×28mm [10]
Benelli M4  Italy Semi-automatic shotgun 12 gauge [11]
Steyr AUG A2  Austria Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO ACOG 4×32 optical sights [10]
Steyr AUG A3  Austria Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO ACOG 4×32 optical sights [10]
Heckler & Koch HK416  Germany Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO
FN Minimi Para  Belgium Light machine gun 5.56×45mm NATO [11]
Heckler & Koch HK417 RECCE  Germany Battle rifle 7.62×51mm NATO [10]
Heckler & Koch HK417 Sniper  Germany Designated marksman rifle 7.62×51mm NATO [10]
Accuracy International 92  United Kingdom Sniper rifle 7.62×51mm NATO [10]
Accuracy International AWM  United Kingdom Sniper rifle 8.6×70mm (.338 LM) [10]
Accuracy International AW50  United Kingdom Anti-materiel rifle 12.7×99mm NATO

(.50 BMG)

[10]

Vehicles

[edit]

This is a partial list of the modern vehicles in use within the Irish Army.

Name Origin Type Number Image Notes
Armoured fighting vehicles
Mowag Piranha IIIH[12]  Switzerland Armoured personnel carrier
Armoured reconnaissance vehicle 		80[13][14] * 45 armoured personnel carriers armed with 12.7mm machine gun & co-ax 7.62mm machine gun
* 8 command vehicles armed with 12.7mm machine gun & co-ax 7.62mm machine gun
* 2 ambulances
* 1 recovery vehicle
* 18 close reconnaissance vehicles armed with the 12.7mm machine gun or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher in a Kongsberg Protector (RWS)
* 6 medium reconnaissance vehicles armed with Mk44 Bushmaster II 30mm autocannon
(9 armoured personnel carriers were converted to close reconnaissance vehicles in 2014–2015)[15]
RG-32M Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV)[16][17]  South Africa Light tactical armoured vehicle 27[16] Armed with pintle-mounted 7.62mm machine gun or Kongsberg Protector RWS with the 12.7mm machine gun or 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.
Special operations forces
ACMAT VLRA  France Long range special reconnaissance 3[18] Used by Army Ranger Wing (ARW) as a 'mothership' to resupply Ford F-350 SRV.
Mowag Eagle  Switzerland Light armoured vehicle Leased to the German Army Used by Army Ranger Wing soldiers[19] conducting a field human intelligence role for MINUSMA as part of a German task force.[20]
Ford F350 SRV  United States Special reconnaissance vehicle 12[18] Used by Army Ranger Wing as a special reconnaissance vehicle for long-range reconnaissance patrols. Left hand drive.
General service vehicles
Toyota Landcruiser  Japan Off-road vehicle 280 ordered for delivery 2019-2023. [21] Replacing older vehicles.
Toyota Landcruiser /Centigon Fortress 200 Intervention  Japan Off-road vehicle Armoured Utility Vehicle. 24 ordered in 2018. 28 in 2020[22][23][24]
Nissan Patrol[25]  Japan Off-road vehicle The Defence Forces maintains a small fleet of 'discreet' armoured SUVs for high-risk and IED-threat missions.[26]
Mitsubishi Pajero  Japan Off-road vehicle 32 Mitsubishi Pajero vehicles are fitted for radio (FFR) - VHF.[27]
Isuzu D-Max  Japan Off-road vehicle
Land Rover Defender  United Kingdom Off-road vehicle Field ambulances and funeral gun carriage tractor.
Ford Ranger  United States Off-road vehicle. Left hand drive.
Honda NC750X  Japan Motorcycle 48 Contract awarded in 2019. Ceremonial escort[28]
Suzuki DR350  Japan Motorcycle [10]
Suzuki DRZ-400  Japan Motorcycle [10]
Yamaha Grizzly 660  Japan ATV / Quad [10]
Troop carrying vehicle
Iveco EuroCargo 4x4[29][30]  Italy Troop carrying vehicle
Mercedes-Benz 1117 4x4[30]  Germany Troop carrying vehicle 60
Scania P 370B 4x4[31]  Sweden Troop carrying vehicle 120 ordered for delivery 2020-2023. Replacing older 4x4 troop carriers[32]
Scania R 420 6x6  Sweden Troop carrying vehicle 36 ordered in 2006.[33]
Scania R 420 8x4[33]  Sweden Miscellaneous 2 Delivered 2006. One in naval service
EOD Duro II 6x6  Switzerland Tactical military lorry (truck) 6 Delivered 2003 [34]
Leyland DAF T244 4x4  United Kingdom Artillery gun tractor and troop carrying vehicle 55
Ford Transit Minibus  United States Minibus
Logistics
Iveco Astra M320.42 W BAD 8x8 DROPS  Italy DROPS truck One fitted with an EKALIFT 2500 recovery body.
Scania P124CB 8x8 DROPS[35]  Sweden DROPS truck Tender for 20 new DROPS vehicles issued in 2021.[36]
Air defence/radar
Flycatcher (KL/MSS-6720)  Netherlands Air defence radar 8 Each Flycatcher radar system controls 3 Bofors 40 mm guns.[37] (Removed from in service 2012)[citation needed]
Bandvagn 206  Sweden Air defence support role 3 Fitted with Saab GIRAFFE Mk IV radars for search & track for RBS 70 MANPADS missile system.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal
DOK-ING MV-4  Croatia Remote mine flail 2 Tracked remote control mini flail
MAN HX60[15]  Germany Armoured EOD trucks 3 or more Initially Delivered 2011. Two additional ordered 2016.[38]
Mowag Duro III  Switzerland Explosive ordnance disposal vehicle Armoured and unarmoured variants
Aardvark MK4  United Kingdom Mine flail
Unmanned aerial vehicles
Aeronautics Orbiter UAV  Israel Miniature UAV 14[39] Used by Artillery Corps. Two systems were acquired in 2006 each system has 3 Orbiter UAV's. Two were destroyed in crashes and one was lost and never recovered. €2m was spent on 12 new UAVs in 2016/17.

Defence Forces aircraft

[edit]
Note: All Irish Aircraft are operated by the Irish Air Corps. Main article: List of aircraft of the Irish Air Corps
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Maritime Patrol
CASA C-295 Spain maritime patrol MSA 2[40]
Reconnaissance
Britten-Norman Defender United Kingdom police air support 4000 1[41][40] Flown for the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU)[42]
DHC-6 Twin Otter Canada police air support Guardian 400 One on order for the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU) to replace the Britten-Norman Defender.[43][44]
Pilatus PC-12 Switzerland surveillance PC-12NG 4[45][40] Three 'SPECTRE' surveillance variants[46], and one utility variant[47]
Transport
CASA C-295 Spain transport One on order[48][40]
Learjet 45 United States executive transport 1[49] Tender for replacement aircraft listed in November 2023.[50]
Helicopter
AgustaWestland AW139 Italy utility 6[51][40]
Eurocopter EC135 Germany utility / trainer EC135 P2 2[52][40]
Eurocopter EC135 Germany police air support EC135 T2 2[53] Flown for the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU)[42]
Trainer
Pilatus PC-9 Switzerland trainer / CAS PC-9M 8[54][40] One hull lost in 2009 was replaced in 2017[55]
[edit]
  • The remaining Panhard AML-20 armoured cars were retired in 2013
    The remaining Panhard AML-20 armoured cars were retired in 2013
  • Honda ceremonial escort motorcycles of 2 Cavalry Squadron
    Honda ceremonial escort motorcycles of 2 Cavalry Squadron
  • 14 Scorpion CVR(T) tracked reconnaissance vehicles were in use from the 1980s until their retirement in 2017.[56]
    14 Scorpion CVR(T) tracked reconnaissance vehicles were in use from the 1980s until their retirement in 2017.[56]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Huges, Capt Brian (April 2007). "Taking Aim" (PDF). An Cosantóir. 67 (4): 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Defence Forces Website - Army - Weapons". Military.ie. Archived from the original on 2010-11-26. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  3. ^ a b "Snipers equipped with record-breaking rifle". Irish Independent. 2012-12-01.
  4. ^ Moss, Matthew (2 February 2021). "Irish Defence Force Seeks New Designated Marksman Rifle". The Firearm Blog.
  5. ^ "Defence Forces Website - Army Weapons - Javelin". Military.ie. Archived from the original on 26 November 2010.
  6. ^ a b c d The Military Balance 2021, p. 115
  7. ^ "The 21 Gun Salute - The Defence Forces". 1 January 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Defence Forces Equipment – Wednesday, 2 Apr 2003 – Written Questions (29th Dáil) – Houses of the Oireachtas". www.oireachtas.ie. 2020-11-17. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  9. ^ Stack, Sarah (12 June 2014). "Army fires up €4.4m spend on missile upgrade". Herald.ie. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o GPM. "Irish Special Forces: The Army Ranger Wing". Gunpowder Magazine. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  11. ^ a b c d "SMALL ARMS OF THE IRISH DEFENSE FORCES - Small Arms Review". 2004-06-01. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  12. ^ "Irish Army Vehicles – Mowag APC". Military.ie (Official site). Archived from the original on 26 November 2010.
  13. ^ "Irish army vehicles suffering multiple faults". The Sunday Times. 20 July 2008. Archived from the original on May 29, 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  14. ^ "Dáil Debates - Written answers - Monday, 11 September 2017 - Department of Defence - Defence Forces Equipment". Oireachtas. 11 September 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2017 – via KildareStreet.com.
  15. ^ a b "Annual Report 2015" (PDF). Defence Forces Ireland. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  16. ^ a b Lavery, Don (14 December 2008). ""South African firm wins Irish Army vehicle contract"". Irish Independent.
  17. ^ "2010 Estimates for Defence and Army Pensions and Annual Output Statement" (Press release). Department of Defence. 17 June 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  18. ^ a b "World's toughest trucks for Rangers". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 10 July 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  19. ^ "The Army Rangers get back to work after roadside bomb blast". independent.ie. Independent News & Media. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2022. A roadside bomb [..] blast inflicted heavy damage on the Mowag Eagle but the three [Army] Rangers suffered only minor injuries
  20. ^ "The Army Rangers get back to work after roadside bomb blast". thejournal.ie. Journal Media. 19 February 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  21. ^ "Irish Defence Forces Investment In New Toyota Land Cruisers". toyota.ie. 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  22. ^ "Troops overseas to be protected with €66m armoured vehicles investment". independent.ie. 10 October 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  23. ^ "Centigon double la mise avec les Forces de défense irlandaises". forcesoperations.com (in French). 27 November 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  24. ^ "Questions - Defence Forces Equipment - Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 January 2021". oireachtas.ie. 28 January 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  25. ^ "Irish Army Vehicles – General Service Vehicle". Military.ie (Official DF site). Archived from the original on 20 February 2009.
  26. ^ Lavery, Don (15 April 2012). "Armoured 4x4s sent to protect Irish soldiers". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  27. ^ "Annual Report 2012" (PDF). Defence Forces Ireland. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  28. ^ "Army spends €467,000 on ceremonial escort motorbikes".
  29. ^ "Irish Army Iveco EuroCargo 4x4". Flickr. 27 September 2013.
  30. ^ a b Karl Martin (2002). Irish Army Vehicles: Transport and Armour Since 1922. ISBN 978-0954341305.
  31. ^ "Irish Defence Forces to receive 120 new Westward Scania P370 B 4x4 trucks". armyrecognition.com. 11 March 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  32. ^ "Defence Forces to get 120 new 4x4 vehicles at a cost of €25m". Irish Times. 10 March 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  33. ^ a b "Scania.ie – News – Irish Defence Forces €6 million order to SCANIA". September 2006. Archived from the original on 30 November 2007.
  34. ^ "Duro High-Mobility Military Tactical Vehicle". army-technology.com. Retrieved 6 October 2021. In 2003, General Dynamics delivered six Duro II 6×6 vehicles to Ireland
  35. ^ "Scania.ie – News – Irish Defence Forces Scania 8x8". August 2005. Archived from the original on 21 April 2006.
  36. ^ "Public RFT - the Supply of Demountable Rack Offload and Pickup System (DROPS) Vehicles and Trailers".
  37. ^ "Radar guns tested at Gormanston air facility". Irish Independent. 11 July 2003. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  38. ^ "New EOD vehicles for Irish defence force". shephardmedia.com. 23 August 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2021. The two new [MAN HX 60 4x4 armoured] vehicles will augment those already in service
  39. ^ "Criticism over plan to spend €2m on Israeli-made drones". Irish Times. 28 November 2016.
  40. ^ a b c d e f g Hoyle, Craig (2023). "World Air Forces 2024". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  41. ^ "PBN Defender". military.ie. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  42. ^ a b "The Garda Air Support Unit". garda.ie. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  43. ^ "Garda purchases sophicated surveillance aircraft from Canadian manufacturer". irishtimes.ie. 2024-08-03. Archived from the original on 2024-08-15. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  44. ^ "De Havilland Canada's Twin Otter Guardian Aircraft Chosen for Enhanced Operational Capabilities". dehavilland.com. 2024-07-23. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  45. ^ "Pilatus PC-12". military.ie. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  46. ^ "Irish Air Corps New PC-12's Arrive in Baldonnel". flyinginireland.com. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  47. ^ "Air Corps to Take Delivery of Pilatus PC-12 Today". flyinginireland.com. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  48. ^ "Third Airbus Defence C295 Confirmed for the Air Corps". flyinginireland.com. 12 March 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  49. ^ "Learjet 45". military.ie. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  50. ^ "Tender Notice Published for New Government Jet". flyinginireland.com. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  51. ^ "AW139". military.ie. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  52. ^ "EC135 P2". military.ie. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  53. ^ "EC135 T2". military.ie. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  54. ^ "Pilatus PC-9M". military.ie. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  55. ^ "Air Corps receive new Pilatus PC-9M". flyinginireland.com. 17 July 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  56. ^ Mark Nash (7 June 2018). "FV101 Scorpion in Irish Service". tanks-encyclopedia.com. Tank Encyclopedia. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
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