Crucial new €16.5m body armour on way

THOUSANDS of Irish soldiers are set to get vital new body armour kits - at a cost of more than €16million.

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Tanaiste Simon Harris has confirmed his department has placed an order for some 6,105 sets of ballistic vests and helmets.

The kits, which offer increased protection from blasts and small arms fire, will replace the current body armour kits that have been in service for more than 20 years.