As Minister for Defence, one of my key priorities 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. This phase has concluded and a decision on this is imminent.
The requirements for delivery of military radar, across the various domains, including primary radar, are extremely complex and clearly this will be an expensive capability to deliver and maintain. However, all capital expenditure associated with delivery of this Programme will be met from within the capital allocations for 2026-2030, which were recently agreed as part of the review of the National Development Plan. Given the critical stage we are now at in this phase of the Programme, it would be premature to make any further comment on the likely costs involved, at this time.
Training needs will be determined and delivered as part of the delivery of the Programme and will encompass equipment level training, including maintenance, as well operational and tactical level training.
