Sir, - I read again one of Joe Murray's letters regarding the re-equipping of the Defence Forces and I am now convinced he knows nothing about this subject.
Regardless of whether the European Rapid Reaction Force comes into existence or not, the Defence Forces need to spend money on new equipment or they will be unable to participate in any operations overseas, including UN missions.
The Defence Forces have purchased 40 armoured personnel carriers to replace similar vehicles that are 30 years old and considered obsolete. They will be used overseas for the first time later this year in a UN mission in Eritrea.
The requirement is for up to five medium-range helicopters; the majority of these will be used for search and rescue. A British company on behalf of the Department of the Marine, currently provides medium-range search and rescue.
This country is one of the few in Europe that cannot deter unwelcome aircraft from entering its air space. The Air Corps had jet-trainer aircraft from the early 1960s until a few years ago. Why does purchasing replacements cause such a difficulty?
It should also be noted that the vast bulk of the funds for this re-equipping come from the sale of Army property. Could you see the Department of Justice selling Garda stations to purchase patrol cars? The Defence Forces need and deserve our respect - not cynical and uninformed attacks from someone who should know better. - Yours, etc.,
Neil O'Donohoe, Shantalla Avenue, Santry, Dublin 9.