Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
354. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Defence the total capital allocation for maritime surveillance and radar capability under the current National Development Plan; the stage reached in procurement; and the anticipated date for full operational capability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12917/26]
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).
In support of this, the revised National Development Plan (NDP) allocation provides €1.7 billion in capital funding to Defence out to 2030. This represents an increase of €600 million (55%) on the previous baseline of €1.1 billion. For 2026, the Defence capital allocation has been increased by €66 million to €300 million.
Capital investment in Defence primarily supports the renewal, retention, and acquisition of major defence equipment and the development of defence infrastructure. This expenditure enhances and supports military capabilities and contributes to a more secure and resilient society.
Amongst its recommendations on capability development, 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. This is being progressed under the Military Radar Programme. There are three elements to this 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 very good progress has been made. Towards the end of last year, the Preliminary Business Case for the Military Radar Programme was approved. This concluded that a Government-level approach with one country was the preferred option and, in line with this approach, my Department has commenced detailed negotiations with France on a potential agreement for the delivery of all capability requirements under the Programme.
Full delivery of the Programme will be complex; but has been prioritised with a target date of 2028 identified in the updated CODF Detailed Implementation Plan which I published last week. That being said, elements of this capability will be rolled out in phases, starting this year with a particular focus on Counter-UAS capabilities, with a view to full delivery being achieved by the end of 2028.
To supplement the Recognised Air Picture that will emerge from the Military Radar Programme, my Department is also making progress in enhancing the Recognised Maritime Picture. My Department announced in June 2025 that a contract had been awarded for sonar capability which will be used by the Naval Service to monitor subsea activities. This is another strand of work being progressed to identify any potential threats in our maritime domain. This is a complex project and a new capability, so work in training personnel and establishing the procedures and structures required within the Defence Forces has commenced, and will continue in the period up to the delivery and operationalisation of the system, with initial deliveries planned for 2027, in line with the commitment contained in the new Strategic Framework for the Transformation of the Defence Forces which I also published last week.
With these projects, the Defence Forces will have enhanced state of the art systems for conducting monitoring and surveillance activities in the air, on the surface and below the sea-surface.
