Supplies being flown out to Chad forces

The Defence Forces were tonight preparing a major logistical operation to transport supplies and equipment to the elite Army Ranger unit in Chad.

Trucks and reconnaissance vehicles are being sent out to the 50 Irish troops deployed as part of the peace enforcement mission in the central African state.

The Rangers, sent in first to assess the security situation, are expected to remain at the airport in the capital, N’djamena, until the supplies arrive.

The soldiers will then make a difficult 925km (575-mile) journey across the arid centre of Chad to their base at Abeche, where they will help protect refugees from the war-torn Darfur region of Sudan.

The first of four flights takes off from Dublin Airport tomorrow, loaded with reconnaissance vehicles weighing five tonnes and 27-tonne trucks.

A number of containers with kit and weapons will also be dispatched.

Deployment of the 14-nation EU force began more than a week ago, with Swedish Special Forces and French logistical units arriving in N’djamena.

The Defence Forces will use a heavy-lift Antonov aircraft to transport the gear to the mission area.

Each of the four flights will be carrying almost 100 tonnes of equipment.

Some 400 Irish soldiers will join the Ranger unit and form the second biggest contingent in the 3,700-strong EU force under the command of Lieutenant General Pat Nash.