Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2026
300. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the specific performance indicators, reports, or datasets reviewed by the High Level Planning and Procurement Group (HLPPG) in monitoring Air Corps capability; and whether any formal minutes, summaries, or performance dashboards are produced as part of this process. [29312/26]
View answerThe High Level Planning and Procurement Group (HLPPG) is a joint civil/military group whose role is to develop and implement multi annual rolling plans for the Defence Forces for equipment procurement and disposal and infrastructural development (including property acquisition), in accordance with the priorities set out in the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Commission on the Defence Forces, the Strategic Framework, the Defence Policy Review and in accordance with the prevailing strategic policy priorities and initiatives approved by the Minister and Government. The HLPPG is a key element of the governance structure in Defence.
One of the key recommendations from the Commission on the Defence Forces was to implement a top down capability development planning process (CDPP) to bring planning for Defence Forces capabilities in line with best practice. In early 2023 a Capability Development Unit was established in the Department. It is civil/military in terms of staffing, with military staff from across the three services of the Defence Forces, providing an overarching joint perspective to capability planning.
The Unit is in the final stages of producing a 12-year Capability Development Programme, that will identify, at a high level, the capability requirements for the Defence Forces, including Air Corps capabilities 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, and the objectives as set out in the recently published Strategic Framework and Update to the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Commission on the Defence Forces. HLPPG will have a role in agreeing updates to the Capability Development Programme.
I expect the Capability Development Programme will be finalised in 2026.
