Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
266. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding any proposals to increase capital expenditure on military equipment for the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3464/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe revised National Development Plan Capital allocation for the Defence Vote Group for the period 2026-2030 is €1.7 billion. This represents an increase of €600 million (55%) on the previous baseline allocation of €1.1 billion.
For 2026, this will see the overall Defence allocation increase by €66 million to €300 million, of which €191million will go to key capability development equipment projects.
Over the lifetime of this plan, the key Government capital priority for the Defence Sector will be the delivery of the Military Radar Programme.
Other vitally important Defence projects, including Subsea Awareness, Software Defined Radio, H145M Light Utility Helicopters will also be advanced along with the acquisition of a wide range of essential Force Protection equipment.
In addition, with Ireland assuming the Presidency of the EU from July 2026, there was an urgent operational requirement to progress the delivery of certain Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) capabilities. In that regard and following Oireachtas approval of a Supplementary Estimate in late-2025, Counter Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) capabilities are now being procured in an accelerated manner with planned delivery, and training, being prioritised in early 2026.
As Defence capital expenditure is often atypical, with long lead-in times, the funding certainty now provided is essential and will support internal Equipment Development Planning Frameworks.
In an era defined by rapidly evolving geopolitical tensions, this level of investment in Defence equipment will further modernise Defence Forces capability across all domains and ensure that Ireland continues to meet its national and international security responsibilities.
The Defence Sectoral National Development Plan (NDP) 2026-2030 was launched by the Minister of Defence on 11th December 2025 and is available on the Government website www.gov.ie
