Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
331. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Defence the steps her Department is taking to ensure we have the capacity to deploy anti drone defences outside Baldonnel airfield; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12888/26]
View answerWith Ireland assuming the Presidency of the EU from July this year, I have prioritised the delivery of Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) capabilities for the Defence Forces.
Following Dáil approval on 3 December last of a Supplementary Estimate which provided for the accelerated procurement of C-UAS capabilities for use by the Defence Forces, contractual arrangements have been put in place to enable delivery of these capabilities during the first half of this year. In line with these arrangements, training of military personnel is already underway and the further roll-out of the required capabilities will continue to be accelerated this year.
With Ireland assuming the Presidency from July, for operational security reasons it would be inappropriate to make any further comment on this matter, at this time.
