An Irish general now seems certain to command the communications and information services in the proposed European Rapid Reaction Force (ERRF), including the Franco-German satellite system, Helios.
It has also emerged that Irish troops will attend the first joint training exercise for the ERRF, which is to be held in Germany in the spring. Military sources say it is expected that a small detachment of signals soldiers will attend the exercise.
By 2003 the Defence Forces is committed to be in a position to provide a light-arms battalion of about 850 troops for the ERRF. Irish troops would be used only in operations which have a UN mandate and involve peacekeeping or humanitarian operations.
On December 8th last the Government announced that Brig Gen Sean Brennan had been recommended for nomination to a senior position in the European Union Military Staff (EUMS), the Brussels secretariat whose function is to set up the new force.
It is now understood that on the strength of his expertise in the signals and communications area, Brig Gen Brennan is now almost certain to be appointed to one of the five directorates in the ERRF.
As director of communication information services (CIS), one of Brig Gen Brennan's key functions will involve the deployment of the Franco-German Helios satellite system.
During the Gulf War and in NATO operations in former Yugoslavia the forces relied on the US army's satellite system, known as joint surveillance target attack radar system. The Helios system is based on satellites 800 km above the Earth which provide picture resolution of up to 10 metres. It can identify and track the movement of tanks, relaying the information to ground stations under the control of CIS.
Helios, launched by an Ariane-4 rocket in French Guiana in July 1995, is one of the key strategic elements of the ERRF armoury.
Command of the CIS directorate is seen a very major coup for the Defence Forces. The State has one of the smallest of the 15 armies contributing to the ERRF and Brig Gen Brennan was chosen for the post in preference to senior officers from much bigger armies of such countries as Finland and Sweden.
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