Cathal Berry
Question:18. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline Ireland's air defence capability; if he has any plans to upgrade it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22158/24]
View answerThursday, 16 May 2024
Questions (18)
Written answers
My 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, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Capability priorities (including replacement capabilities as they near end of life) for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the capability development planning processes which includes both an Equipment Development Plan (EDP) and a Built Infrastructure Programme.
The EDP recognises the need to maintain and upgrade military capabilities having regard to emerging priorities, operational requirements and changes in technology. This is an ongoing iterative process. As such, further additions to the EDP have been made as a result of the Government’s decision to move to a higher level of ambition, known as Level of Ambition 2 (LOA2), and in light of specific recommendations, associated with a move to LOA2, made in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
In relation to air defence capability the current Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) radar system and missile system are approaching obsolescence and as a result the development of a new air defence system is a key priority. As the Deputy is aware, the Commission on the Defence Forces outlined the absence of a significant Irish air defence capability and recommended as part of the aforementioned move to LOA2 the development of a new air defence system which is compatible with and integrated into the Recognised Air Picture (RAP) which also requires a military Primary Radar capability. Demonstrating the Government’s commitment to this, one of the Early Actions identified in the subsequent High Level Action Plan published in response to the Commission’s report, was to commence planning for military radar capabilities. A project team, comprising senior civil and military personnel, has commenced work on a programme of work to develop military radar capabilities. This includes military primary radar systems, ground based air defence, maritime and counter unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS).
It must be acknowledged, however, that delivery of Air Defence is both costly and extremely complex, and will take some time to deliver. Nevertheless, delivery has been prioritised by Government and the increased capital allocation for Defence includes funding for the development of a primary radar capability.
The Defence annual capital budget for 2024 is €176 million. In April, I announced record levels of capital funding for Defence over the next two years of €215 million in 2025 and €220 million in 2026. This demonstrates the Government’s strong commitment to supporting the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern, agile military force, capable of responding to the increasingly complex security threats that have emerged.