Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
301. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Defence the progress since 2022 to provide the Defence Forces with a primary radar system capable of detecting and tracking rogue and non-conforming aircraft within airspace controlled by the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71254/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of my key priorities as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces is maintained and developed in line with the Government’s decision to move to Level of Ambition 2 (LOA2), as defined by the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF).
The CODF recommended the development of a primary radar capability to ensure that Ireland can maintain a complete ‘Recognised Air Picture’, and that this should be an immediate and top priority.
There are three elements to the Military Radar Programme: Land based Long Range Primary Radar; Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) systems, to include a Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) capability; and Maritime (ship-borne) Radar.
This programme of work is ongoing and good progress has been made.
When fully delivered, the Recognised Air Picture will incorporate this suite of military radar systems; which will have the capability to detect all aircraft traversing our airspace including any that may be operating with their transponders turned off.
Full delivery of the Programme will be complex; but has been prioritised with a target date of 2028 identified in the Detailed Implementation Plan. That being said, elements of this capability will be rolled out in phases, starting in 2026, towards full delivery by the end of 2028.
My Department has engaged with a number of countries, including all EU Member States, to ascertain their interest in supporting Ireland to deliver this capability.
Based on the responses received, my officials commenced bi-lateral discussions with a small number of countries earlier this year, with a view to assessing options for delivery, and I anticipate that this phase of the Programme will conclude in the coming weeks.
In terms of next steps thereafter, my priority is to ensure that delivery can commence next year with full operational capacity being delivered by the end of 2028.
