An Cosantóir

| 15 www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE for specialised training in areas such as Tactical Combat Casualty Care, Drill Instructor Training, and Junior Leadership. These deployments have not only enhanced the capabilities of our personnel but also encouraged cross-cultural exchange and strengthened international cooperation, enriching their international military experience. In 2025, the Defence Forces plan to maintain their engagement with this mission, ensuring that our soldiers benefit from ongoing opportunities for skill development, professional growth, and collaboration with our international partners. There were several significant donations made from the Defence Forces to the Ukrainian Armed Forces; in early February, two Doking Mine Flails were donated after a small team of Engineers delivered an instructional course on the equipment. June saw a large donation of vehicles including Ford Rangers, Ambulances and DROPs trucks to the UAF through the International Donor Coordination Centre in Poland following a significant operation consisting of four convoys coordinated by D J3/5 and D Tpt. Future donations are expected in 2025. January 2024 saw the commencement of the German led European Union Battle Group (EUBG). The Defence Forces are currently providing a Mechanised Infantry Company as Force Protection for the EUBG. The Battle Group is a two year commitment, divided into two distinct phases; 'STAND UP' Phase which is one year in duration involved the unit training in Ireland, a validation exercise in September and the completion of a EUBG Certification Exercise (MILEX 24) in Bergen, Germany in Nov/Dec 2024. The second phase is the 'STAND BY' phase and will last for one year commencing in January 2025. For the first six months, the Battle Group will be on 25 Days' Notice to Move (NTM), moving to ten days NTM for the last six months. An 'Alert Deploy' Exercise (MILEX 25) is scheduled for April/May 25 in Hungary. The Infantry Company of 139 personnel are commanded by a Group HQ and supported by a National Support Element to allow the Unit to conduct effective operations and maintain their personnel and vehicles. Alongside the Inf Coy, there is a Logistical Transport Section, Medical Section, CIS Section, Vehicle Maintenance Section, Ordnance Section and Military Police detachment. Ten personnel have been deployed to the FHQ in EUROCORPS HQ in Strasbourg since January 24. These personnel, led by a Colonel, are deployed across the functions of the FHQ IOT assist in Coordination and Liaison. In late September 24, four personnel deployed to Pfungsdtadt, Germany to the PESCO Logistics Hub IOT maintain the vehicles and equipment for the Irish Contingent. The Irish Force package currently has an overall strength of one 191 personnel. 2 Bde is the Lead Formation; 1 Bde and DFTC are Supporting Formations. Planning and Capabilities Section ICCW colleagues in Department of Defence, Ordnance Branch and ARW successfully collaborated to procure equipment for EUBG 2024/2025. As dismounted close combat soldiers, the EUBG is arguably the best-equipped Infantry unit the Army has fielded to-date. Of particular note are deliveries of night vision equipment (NVE). For the first time each line soldier is equipped with a helmet-mounted binocular NVE and rifle-mounted laser light module (LLM). Additionally, stocks of un-cooled, cooled and fused thermal NVE have been procured for rifles, GPMGs and 84mm Carl Gustav RCL. Furthermore, the EUBG has been equipped with small un-crewed aerial systems (sUAS) for counter IED reconnaissance. This is the first Infantry unit where sUAS have been specifically allocated for close ISR. Significant efforts were also undertaken in-parallel with existing programmes to deliver a modern helmet, body armour and load-carrying equipment. In 2025 the EUBG will be the first Army unit to be equipped with section-level designated marksman rifles (DMR). With regard to planning and coordination with other government agencies and departments J3&5 continue to engage proactively with the Department of Defence led, Office of Emergency Planning. The engagement covers everything from involvement in Severe Weather Planning and Response to exercises focussed on building national resilience in the communications, energy and health areas. The importance of this engagement cannot be understated as the nature of threats that we face is constantly evolving. A busy programme is already in place for 2025 and we look forward to playing a part in improving national and local responses to the challenges that we face. Mine Flail Training - EUMAM-UA EUBG Inf Coy NVE AND HELMET NVE AND HELMET

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