Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2024
37. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline the Defence Forces' anti-drone technology capability; if he has any plans to upgrade it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22159/24]
View answerA 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, as set out in the White Paper on Defence.
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. The Commission report highlighted the requirement for a new air defence system which is compatible with and integrated into the Recognised Air Picture and also recommended for the development of anti-drone or Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) capabilities. This recommendation was accepted in principle in the subsequent High Level Action Plan.
On foot of this, in 2023 a civil-military Working Group on UAS detection and counter UAS technology was established. The Working Group commenced a study of national and international best practice, and regulatory requirements, in order to see how UAS detection and counter UAS technology can best be deployed in the context of enhancing the capacity of the Defence Forces to carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government.
The research at this early phase determined the Counter UAS project overlapped significantly in terms of resources, management and technology with the ground based air defence project which is part of the Military Radar Programme. Consequently, a significant element of Counter UAS capability was brought within the scope of the Military radar programme thus ensuring resource commonalities are managed under one programme and avoiding duplication of effort.
This work is ongoing, it’s a complex programme and will take time to deliver. The needs phase is underway which sets out strategic rationale and the programme scope. This phase should not be underestimated given the importance and complexity of the programme due to evolving technologies in this domain. On the conclusion of the ground based air defence project, the State will have enhanced its capability to protect vital installations and for force protection for troops at home and overseas.
