Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
274. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence if the NDP 2030 allocation for the armoured fleet replacement programme will be used to replace the Mowag Piranha; if it is envisioned that the Mowags will be replaced in the next NDP allocation; when she envisages the programme will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14966/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key priority for me as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced in order to ensure that the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government.
The Defence Forces currently operate a fleet of 80 MOWAG Piranha III Armoured Vehicles, providing essential force protection. The fleet is comprised of 53 Infantry Armoured People Carriers, 18 Cavalry Close Reconnaissance Vehicles, 6 Cavalry Medium Reconnaissance Vehicles and 3 Ambulance Variant Vehicles. The vehicles came into service in three phases: in 2002 (40 vehicles), 2004 (25 vehicles) and 2007 (15 vehicles). In recent years there has been significant investment in the armoured fleet of vehicles with the enhancement of force protection and mobility with the mid-life refit of the MOWAG Piranha III vehicles project nearing completion. To date 74 of the 80 vehicles have completed the Midlife Upgrade Programme and have returned to service. The final six vehicles are expected to complete the programme later this year. This programme will ensure the viability of the fleet beyond 2030.
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’.
More generally, in July 2025 the Government approved the National Development Plan (2026-2030). As per the capital allocation under the NDP, the capital budget for Defence will rise from €1.1 billion under the previous NDP to €1.7billion, the largest increase in Defence funding in the history of the State.
This level of capital funding will allow a phased planned programme of sustained equipment and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the recommendations approved by Government within the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, while building on the significant investment programme over recent years.
A key recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces which has been accepted in principle is the “replacement of the existing APCs with a larger and enhanced fleet equipped with sufficient firepower for future overseas missions, and with ‘level 4’ armour across armour platforms where required”.
A joint civil / military programme team are continuing their work on this programme in line with the Public Spending Code Infrastructure Guidelines. The Programme is being progressed in line with the recently published updated Detailed Implementation Plan.
A primary step in this process is the submission of a Strategic Assessment Report, providing an assessment of potential options for the delivery of the Programme. I have considered this Report and I expect to make an announcement on the next phase of the Armoured Fleet Programme very shortly. In line with the timelines in the updated Detailed Implementation Plan it is anticipated that a contractual arrangement will be finalised by the end of this year.
