Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
199. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Defence the timeframe for the recommendation on the replacement for the Irish Army’s LTAV fleet; the date by which she expects to give permission to purchase replacement vehicles; to report on the manner in which the existing LTAV stock will be disposed of; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11578/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) processes.
The Defence Forces fleet of 27 Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles, the RG32M, has been in service since 2010. These vehicles are now approaching end of life, are being withdrawn from active service and are due for replacement. As the vehicles are currently being withdrawn from service, no decision has yet been made with regard to the manner in which these vehicles will be disposed.
Following the publication of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces in 2022, the Government approved a move, over a six-year period, to a level of Defence Forces’ capability equivalent to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2).
A joint civil / military project team have been continuing their work on an Armoured Fleet Programme which will include the replacement and enhancement of Ireland's Light Tactical Armoured Vehicle fleet in line with the Public Spending Code Infrastructure Guidelines, and in line with the recommendation from the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, which was accepted by Government. The Programme is currently in the process of identifying the needs and requirements of the future armoured fleet as part of the capability development planning process. The Programme will be progressed in line with the recently published Updated Detailed Implementation Plan.
The development of an Armoured Fleet Programme for Ireland is an essential element in the delivery of the €1.7 billion National Development Plan for the Defence Forces, which I published in December and which represents an increase from €1.1 billion under the previous NDP, the largest increase in Defence funding in the history of the State. It represents a major national defence investment consistent with the 2024 Defence Policy Review, the Updated Detailed Implementation Plan and the Strategic Framework.
