55% capital spending increase will fund radar systems, helicopters, naval upgrades, and infrastructure
Ireland will spend €1.7 billion on defence equipment between now and 2030 in a 55% increase in capital spending, Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister Helen McEntee announced Thursday.
The multi-annual investment rises from €300 million in 2026 to €360 million in 2029-2030 under the department’s National Development Plan sectoral plan, delivering major capability upgrades across land, air, maritime, and cyber domains.
The headline investment includes full delivery of the military radar programme by 2028 and comprehensive Air Corps modernization featuring purchase of four Airbus H145M helicopters, progress on acquiring eight “super medium helicopters,” delivery of a new Falcon 6X government jet, and replacement of the existing PC-9M fleet by 2030.
Naval Service upgrades will include towed array sonar systems enabling Irish ships to monitor subsurface activity within Ireland’s maritime area—a critical capability given recent concerns about undersea infrastructure security and foreign submarine activity.
Army improvements include upgrading 80 Mowag Piranha III armoured vehicles, progressing armoured fleet replacement, acquiring drones, and rolling out software-defined radios for improved communications.
Infrastructure investment of €400 million will fund Defence Forces accommodation, offices, gyms, aircraft hangars, and naval berthage facilities. An additional €175 million will support IT systems, transport, engineering, and ordnance capabilities.
McEntee emphasized the necessity of continued investment growth: “It’s essential that we continue to increase our funding, our spending, and our focus on the Defence Forces.”
“We all know the changing environment and world that we live in. We know the type of changing threats that are emerging and my focus and priority as minister for defence is to make sure the Defence Forces are growing, expanding and we are enhancing capabilities,” she stated.
The spending plan implements goals outlined in the Commission on the Defence Forces report published four years ago, which identified critical capability gaps and recruitment challenges facing Ireland’s military.
McEntee noted that current defence spending has increased 40% over the past three years alone. “We know what we need to do, we know what’s in the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces. We know how we need to get there, and that does require investment,” she said.
The investment addresses long-standing underfunding of Irish defence capabilities, with the country historically spending significantly below NATO’s 2% of GDP guideline despite not being a NATO member. Ireland’s traditional military neutrality has faced scrutiny amid evolving European security threats and Ireland’s reliance on partners for airspace and maritime security.
The radar and sonar systems prove particularly significant given Ireland’s extensive Atlantic maritime territory and concerns about foreign military activity, undersea cable security, and potential threats to critical infrastructure.
The spending increase reflects Ireland’s recognition that even neutral countries require credible defence capabilities to protect sovereignty, monitor maritime zones, respond to emergencies, and contribute meaningfully to international peacekeeping operations.