http://www.military.ie/army/arw_weapons.htm
Heres how I'd like to see the defence forces upgraded to take back the North.
ARMY 35,000 strong.
Better pay and conditions free education and healthcare for those who serve 5 years +. The creation of an Irish defence industry,(like Swedens), Ireland having a small nuclear deterrent. A youth 15+ junior leader battalion.
Longer basic training-18 weeks, the cultivation of a more aggressive, patriot based ethos. An army that can operate in a nuclear,biological or chemical environment.
UPGRADE OF INFANTRY INCLUDING.
The creation of a heavy division, including 80(1) heavy armoured tanks.
http://www.fprado.com/armorsite/leo2.htm
The creation of a larger mechanized division, with warrior type fighting vehicles,(to dismount infantry more effectively), hummers with mounted heavy machine guns. More APCs.
Better arming of infantry units, weapons including, 40mm grenade launchers, 60mm lightweight mortars, 81mm m/range mortars. night vision equipment, upgraded small arms from hand guns to combat shotguns, assault rifles and heavy machine guns,and flamethrowers,anti-tank weapons, SAMs, etc.
The creation of an infantry commando/paratrooper division, 7,000 strong.
Designed for rapid deployment with a its own transport aircraft and attack helicopters and engineering, logistic, and mechanized support units. Special Forces, spearhead and Paratrooper Pathfinder units to be equipped with with small tactical nuclear weapons,( like Russian Spetsnaz and NATO special forces, these can stop tanks columns and obliterate an area about 1 square mile). This divison will undergo the similar training as the 2rep French Foreign Legion paras.
This division will also have a special forces battalion, and have mountain, desert and artic warfare (2) cadres.And train with overses forces such as airborne division the French foreign legion, US Rangers etc.
AIRFORCE
A Squadron of Harriers.
A squadron of F 15s. - Also used for international air displays.
A squadron of chinooks.
A squadron of transport aircraft.
4 airtankers.
A squadron pumas
2 squadrons of apache attack helicopters.
An elite air defence infantry unit formed.
Up graded missile and air defence systems.
NAVY.
7 local patrol vessels (which we already have).
4 mine sweepers.
2 type 22 frigates.
2 type 24 destroyers.
1 assault ship.
1 hydrograhical vessel.
3 diesel submarines, 3 Small nuclear class subs, two aways deployed in international waters.
Missile defence systems to include, exocets, phalanx, seawolf, sea dart etc.
The navy to work closely with naval commando units and air support from the air force.
I bet the liberals would love that, LOL. Defence spending increased to 5 billion euro (3) from money saved on asylum seekers etc.
A coast guard unit and armed border patrol unit designed to deport asylum seekers and undesirables.
(1) At its peak the warsaw pact had over 120,000 tanks, NATO around 12,000(a). The US military today has around 3,000.
(2) To take place with Scandinavian marine and special forces units.
(3) not much when you consider the US spends around 25% GNP on its military.
Around 550 billion dollars per annum.
(a) Which was why it relied so heavily on a nuclear deterrent.
