Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
302. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Defence the efforts made since 2022 to provide the Defence Forces with aircraft capable of intercepting and policing rogue or non-conforming aircraft within Irish controlled airspace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71255/25]
View answerMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. The Programme for Government 2025 commits to strengthening Ireland's defence by increasing investment in our capabilities and thereby safeguarding our people.
Capital funding of €1.7 billion has been allocated to the Defence under the National Development Plan for the period 2026-2030. The funding represents an increase of €600 million (announced 23rd July in the National Development Plan) or 55% on the previous baseline figure of €1.1 billion. This significant increase reflects the Government’s commitment to continue to increase investment in our Defence Forces. The revised allocation will enable targeted progression on key elements of government commitments within Level of Ambition 2 (Enhanced Capability) objectives, as outlined in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
The Commission on the Defence Forces recommended that under Level of Ambition 3 "As part of a national Air Defence Plan, the Air Corps would develop an air combat and intercept capability through the acquisition of a squadron of jet combat aircraft, allied to the development of associated operational, infrastructure and support arrangements". In response to that recommendation, Government agreed that this recommendation would revert to Government at a later stage. This was in recognition that any proposed move to Level of Ambition 3 could only be considered in the context of a step up, in the first instance, to Level of Ambition 2. As such the current focus is the delivery of Level of Ambition 2 capabilities and detailed planning for the development of jet capability has not commenced.
However, the civil/military staffed Capability Development Unit, established in 2023 in response to a recommendation in the CoDF to implement a top down Capability Development Planning Process, is preparing a Capability Development Programme, that will identify at a high level, the Capability requirements for the Defence Forces in terms of equipment out to 2040. This ongoing piece of work, once complete, will inform the prioritisation of capabilities the Defence Forces will progress in moving towards the strategic level of ambition set out in the Defence Policy Review. This will be in line with the capital allocation under the National Development Plan.
In terms of LOA 2 capabilities for the Air Corps, a number of projects are currently being progressed under the Air Corps Aircraft Renewal and Replacement Programmes. The Air Corps took delivery of a third Airbus C-295 aircraft (in Military Transport specification) in October 2025; and a contract was also awarded in 2024 for the provision of four Airbus H145M light-utility multi-role helicopters, which are in production for phased delivery in 2027 and 2028. In addition to these procurements, further rotary wing capability will be the subject of a future procurement process beginning in the near term.
Also related to LOA 2 for the Air Corps is the Military Radar Programme which was established in response to the recommendation for the establishment of a Recognised Air Picture for Ireland. This Programme, which is made up of Long Range Primary Radar, Ground Based Air Defence Systems and Maritime (ship-borne) Radar is of significant importance and has been prioritised. Work is ongoing and good progress is being made.
