Army Ranger Wing set for major overhaul, according to Kildare Senator

A Kildare-based Senator has said that the Army Ranger Wing (ARW) is set for a 'major overhaul.'

Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O'Loughlin has said that An Tánaiste Micheál Martin will undertake 'the largest expansion and restructuring' of the ARW in its 43 year history.

She elaborated: "Changes will see a new name for our ARW: the Ireland Special Operations Force or IRL-SOF, but obviously more is needed than just a name change.

"There will also be dramatic changes to its command-and-control structure, making it a central part of military decision making."

The Newbridge politician continued: "It will be restructured into three separate units dedicated to specific tasks: the land unit, which will be known as Special Operations Land Task Group; a dedicated unit specialising in parachuting and fast roping will be known the Air Task Group; and a Maritime Task Group.

"This development will be supported by plans for new infrastructure and equipment, including a dedicated ARW headquarters in the Curragh Camp planned for 2024.

"Since An Tánaiste has taken over as Minister for Defence, I have worked closely with him to see the ambitions of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces realized."

Senator O'Loughlin concluded: "I am pleased to see another reform taking shape that will better equip and support our local and National Defence community."

Senator Fiona O'Loughlin. File photograph.