Irish firms to man Navy system

The Naval Service is getting a new satellite communications system which will be operated by Irish companies.

The announcement was made yesterday at the National Space Centre at Elfordstown, Midleton, Co Cork, by Defence Minister Simon Coveney, who said he was delighted to see Irish companies competing for and securing the contract.

For the past 10 years the Navy’s fleet of eight has been using satellite systems provided by overseas companies.