As the National Competent authority for export controls, my responsibilities centre around the control of exports of dual-use and military items under EU and national legislation. These controls are administered by my Department, in accordance with EU and national legislation. Military exports are controlled by the Control of Exports Act 2023 and S.I. 536/2025 - Control of Exports (National military export control list) (Amendment) Regulations 2025.
During 2024, 164 individual military export licences were granted authorising exports of controlled items with a maximum value of €183.5?million, representing approximately 0.08% of total goods exports as reported by the CSO for 2024. In 2025, 202 individual military export licences were approved authorising exports with a maximum value of €225.3?million. Based on preliminary CSO figures for 2025, this amounted to approximately 0.09% of total goods exports
The vast majority of approved applications in 2024 and 2025 fell under category ML5. This category also accounted for the highest maximum value of approved applications in both years. ML5 covers fire control, surveillance and warning equipment, and related systems, test and alignment and countermeasure equipment, specially designed for military use, and specially designed components and accessories, as specified in S.I. 536/2025. Military exports from Ireland are mostly components for integration into larger systems.
All export licence applications are considered by my officials in accordance with criteria set out within the relevant dual-use and military EU and National Regulations and with Ireland’s international obligations and responsibilities as members of non-proliferation regimes and export control arrangements. Each application is assessed individually, considering the nature of the items, the destination country, the identity of the end-user, and the intended end-use, including the ultimate end user and end use, where known. A range of complex factors is considered in every application, including national security, regional stability, and human rights concerns.
There is extensive engagement between my officials and exporters should any questions or concerns arise with any application for any destination. If, after engagement, there are any outstanding concerns over the stated end use, that the goods being exported will not be used for the end use or by the specified end user as detailed in the application or if the exporter does not provide enough information on the intended end-use for my officials to make an informed decision, the application for a licence is denied.
In applying export controls in a robust and transparent way, my Department ensures that legitimate business transactions by reputable Irish traders are not damaged in any way while also ensuring that exports of controlled goods are thoroughly risk assessed in the context of ongoing conflicts, diversion of goods and humanitarian considerations.
The attached table shows the number and total value of military licences granted in 2024, 2025 and the first quarter of 2026 by category and destination. Owing to an IT issue the 2024 figures were not available when the 2024 Annual Report was published. This issue has now been resolved and the 2024 and 2025 figures will be included in the 2025 Annual report under the Control of Exports Act 2023, which will be published later this year.
Military Licences
