An Cosantóir

three gun suite | 17 already in stock. "The FN spotter rifle offers great- er close protection with semi and fully automatic fire up to a range of 800m; a significant increase in capability," according to Sgt Kevin Byrne, a sniper instructor in the IWW. He adds that "It is equipped with the same sights and optics as the sniper rifles in order for the spotter to bring the sniper onto his target." Sniping is an art form that requires the develop- ment of basic infantry skills to a high degree of perfection. The art of sniping requires learning and repetitious practice of the skills until they are mastered. A sniper must be highly trained in long range rifle marksmanship and fieldcraft skills to ensure maximum effective engagements with minimum risk. It takes a patient disciplined person, capable of working with his spotter at times beyond friendly lines. In addition to marksmanship skills, he must be able to detect and stalk a target, estimate the range of a target, and have mastered the art of concealment and camouflage, and observation. Defence Forces snipers are very highly trained. To become a sniper in the Defence Forces you must pass the challenging and demanding 7 week Basic Snipers Course. Open to all ranks the course is conducted at unit level. The Sniper Badge however is tested and awarded by the Inf Wpns Wg. The next course available to NCO and officer snipers was the Instructors course. With snipers being deployed on missions such as the EU Nordic Battlegroup it was decided to introduce a 3 week Intermediate Snipers course to ensure all snipers, not just instructors are fully trained and familiar with their role. "The Intermediate course takes a sniper who has proven his ability and enhances his skill level," Lt Byrne explained, "they will be introduced to skills that are not covered on the Basic course and that he would only cover if he was a student on the instructors course." The enhanced skills the sniper will learn include; advanced marks- manship techniques, and sniper deployment. It will be on the Intermediate Course that the sniper will learn the .338 SM Accuracy Interna- tional and the 7.62mm FN spotter rifle. "The Intermediate Course is great, not all snip- ers go on to be instructors," added Sgt Byrne, "So this course, gives all snipers the additional skills and increased capabilities that they will need for the types of overseas missions on which Defence Forces personnel deploy." The first Intermediate Sniper Course will be run by the IWW in April 2012. Vox Pops WE SPOKE TO SNIPERS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING CONVER- SION TRAINING WHAT THEY THOUGHT OF THE NEW .338 SM ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL AND THE 7.62MM MODIFIED FN SPOTTER RIFLE. Cpl David Nordon, 27 Inf Bn. The .338 is quite similar to the .308 in terms of its use. It is a very accurate weapon. It pushes our range capability right out to 1500m. The 7.62mm spotter rifle takes a little bit of getting used to since we are used to the Steyr. With the added features it is extremely accurate up to 800m. Both these weapons really enhance our capabilities. Sgt Uel Fisher, 28 Inf Bn These two weapons have brought the Defence Forces up on a par with international standards and advanced sniping in some areas. The .338 is a very positive development in the field. A sniper can en- gage or observe targets at ranges of 1km plus while safe from small arms fire and detection. Sgt Shane Hennessy, 4 Inf Bn The .338 gives us the ability to fire and observe out past 1000m. This is significant increase from the .308; don't get me wrong the .308 is an excellent weapon but it just doesn't have the range of the .338. I've just taken two shots there to get on target and it is very nice to fire. The 7.62mm FN spotter rifle is great. For both spotting and close protection it is great. Lt Stewart Fitzell, 27 Inf Bn The introduction of these two new weapons will give the Battalion Commander the enhanced capability of further distance on which he can engage a target. The .338 also allows you to operate in more difficult conditions. For example it can fire accurately in stronger winds than the .308, further ranges, and a greater anti-material capability. So it gives the unit commander more options on the battlefield. THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE

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