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Minister for Defence launches Roll Over Protection System (ROPS) for Defence Forces

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  • Minister for Defence launches Roll Over Protection System (ROPS) for Defence Forces

    Monday 24 May 2010

    The Minister for Defence, Mr Tony Killeen T.D., accompanied by Major General Dave Ashe, Acting Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, will launch a Roll Over Protection System (ROPS) for Defence Forces Troops in McKee Barracks on Tuesday 25 May 2010 at 2pm.

    The provision of ROPS in military trucks was identified as a priority by the Defence Forces in recent years in order to enhance the health and safety of troops during training and operational deployments. ROPS, which is a relatively recent initiative, consists of compartment structures which are fitted on the back of military trucks to protect troops from injuries caused by vehicle accidents, overturns or rollovers.

    Similar systems are now in use by the British Army, the German Forces, the Austrian Forces and the Finnish Forces to provide greater protection while transporting troops in trucks.

    The launch will include an address by Minister Killeen, a briefing by the officer in charge of the project and a demonstration of ROPS in use.


    Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

  • #2
    MINISTER KILLEEN INTRODUCES NEW ROLL OVER PROTECTION SYSTEMS FOR TROOP CARRYING VEHICLES



    The Minister for Defence Mr Tony Killeen TD was in McKee Barracks this afternoon (Tuesday 25th May 2010) to introduce the new Roll Over Protection Systems (ROPS) for use in Defence Forces Troop Carrying Vehicles (TCVs).

    The system was supplied by a Dublin based company, Transport Component Distributors Ltd from the Long Mile Road in Dublin. The contract involved the fitting of the systems to 50 Defence Forces’ vehicles and the modification of a further 50 vehicles to accept the systems. Future requirements will be the subject of further review later this year. The contract was valued at €571,000 (incl VAT).

    Speaking at the event Minister Killeen said “the safety of our troops is paramount at all times. The provision of the Roll Over Protection Systems is an important step for the Defence Forces given that it has been a top priority for the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces from the health and safety perspective in recent years.” The Minister continued “the provision of the new systems will ensure that all personnel being carried for operational and training purposes on troop carrying vehicles will be afforded a significantly increased level of safety particularly during the occurrence of a sudden impact from a road traffic accident.”

    ROPS, which is a relatively recent initiative, consists of compartment structures which are fitted on the back of military trucks to protect troops from injuries caused by vehicle accidents, overturns or rollovers. It is in line with best international practice and is also used by the British Army, the German Forces, the Austrian Forces and the Finnish Forces.

    The Defence Forces currently have a fleet of 162 military trucks. The 50 ROPS systems purchased are capable of being fitted to 100 trucks, which can also be used to carry military stores and equipment when not configured for ROPS.


    The Minister complimented Transport Component Distributors Ltd on their professional approach to the project and the end product, which will have such an important role to play in the work of the Defence Forces going forward.

    ENDS


    Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

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