An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir May / June 2026 www.military.ie/magazine The Ranger Wing were the only recipients of the Ford F-350 SRV which was kitted out by Ricardo Engineering who also provided the previous Defender patrol vehicles. Ricardo added a big Ramsery 12,000lb hydraulic winch on the front chassis by bolting a seriously sturdy chassis extension and then recovery points on either side of the winch. Slap bang in the centre of the bull bar is a four-pot 66mm multi- directional smoke discharger. The fixed windscreen and cab were removed and replaced by a removable windscreen unit and a very important PVC dash cover to protect the dash and its instruments from the damp Irish conditions. The reworked windscreens and bodies have stood up very well to the dreaded rust even after twenty years of hard service. There is also discrete all-over foul weather covers to allow vehicles to traverse the country during Ireland's four seasons in one day weather and to remain discrete on public roads. The crew consists of three Rangers; Driver, Commander and rear Gunner. All can multitask and man the mounted comms systems, weapons and drive. The Rangers use the SINCGARS frequency hopping radio in either regular or "Baby SINCGARS" sizes, allowing easy access by the front crew. There are also sophisticated Harris radios behind the driver's seat and a fuse box and breakers control box between the front passengers, mounted to the rear cab wall. The Commander has access to a tough book mounted where the glovebox was once housed on civilian models. The tough book dispenses with the need for VHF or HF communication and allows orders and sitreps to be emailed into and from HQ. All cars come equipped with a Motorola CB which allows local comms between vehicles on the move and a discrete floor-mounted stalk light enables the crew to operate the radios in the dark. The vertically moveable Commander's seat allows access to a pole-mounted GPMG which replaces the door and is attached securely to the bulkhead's side member. It is not mounted straight in front of him, but rather in line with his right arm, allowing the commander better situational awareness and visibility to the front. It can be swung into action directly in front when required. The Gunner in the rear is provided with a rear-facing, mesh-based and backed seat that is located against the rear tub's front bulkhead. The base of his seat can be removed to allow him access to the ring-mounted weapon which is either a Browning M2 or a 40mm H&K grenade launcher. Every pair of vehicles would have alternating heavy weapons to complement each other. Also attached to either side of the roll cage is a single easy access SRAAW anti- armour disposable weapon. Again, mounted on the outside of the roll cage would be the crews' Bergan-style backpacks. On either side of the rear Gunner's seat are floor-mounted stowage bins for ready-use ammunition. The rear tub contains numerous stowage areas with elasticated nets to stop items from falling out. When first introduced into service, crews used the sand channels wedged between the rear bumper and tailgate as a shelf to stow Bergans and kit. This seems to have ceased as the sand channels are now mounted inside 16 | The Rangers prepare to board a French C-160 Transal to patrol the sensitive border between Chad an Sudan. The French provided for all of the Irish air requirements and they hugely impressed the Irish.

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