2026-06-09

125. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Defence the current military radar capability of the Defence Forces; her plans, if any to increase such capability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43588/26]

This is to ask the Minister for Defence the current military radar capability of the Defence Forces or plans, if any, to increase such capability and whether she will make a statement on the matter.

I thank the Deputy for this particular question. Developing the military radar capability of the Defence Forces is one of my key priorities and a key element of the move to level of ambition 2. The Commission on the Defence Forces advised that the absence of a capability to maintain a complete recognised air picture is something we need to address. We need to make sure we have the capacity to have a recognised air picture and it needs to be complete. This means we would be able to protect our national sovereignty and airspace and we would have the ability to detect any infringements for the purpose of civil aviation safety and maintenance of co-operative relations with neighbouring states, which are also impacted by this capability gap. Among its recommendations on capability development, the commission recommended that we develop a primary radar system to ensure Ireland can maintain that complete air picture and that this should be an immediate priority. That is why when I came into the Department I insisted this was brought forward in terms of our capital spend and that we bring forward as much of it as possible. This is being progressed under the military radar programme. There are three elements to it, namely, the land-based, long-range radar primary radar; ground-based air defence systems to include the counter-unmanned aerial systems, that is, the counter-drone technology and our maritime radar. This programme of work is ongoing but good progress has been made. Towards the end of last year, the preliminary business case for the military radar programme was approved. This concluded that a Government-level approach with one country was the preferred option. In line with this approach my Department immediately commenced negotiations with France on a potential agreement for the delivery of capability requirements under this programme. These are ongoing with the French authorities. However, while full delivery of the programme will be complex, it has been prioritised with a target date identified in the years ahead of 2028. I published recently the detailed implementation plan for the development of this complete, recognised air picture. That being said, elements of the overall programme will be rolled out in phases. It is going to take a number of years to do all of this; starting this year in particular with the counter-UAS capabilities. The Deputy will have heard this discussed many times around the counter-drone technology and making sure we have this in place for our Presidency and to support the work of An Garda Síochána.

I thank the Minister for her response. Although we are a neutral nation and plan to remain one, it is important our Defence Forces are provided with appropriate radar technology to help with their vitally important day-to-day operations. In an ever-changing world, the development of air and sea radar capability should be a cornerstone in ensuring our Defence Forces’ protection of national security concerns. I understand that a business case for a national military radar programme was approved last year for a proposed delivery target of 2028. Is this still the timeline the Department is working towards? In addition, can the Minister provide any specifications as to what if any infrastructure is needed at land and sea level to progress radar capability?

I fully agree with the Deputy. The reason there is a need for this to be introduced as soon as possible is because we are seeing a changed landscape and changed types of threats. We are seeing more hybrid activity and use of drones not just here, but in other countries as well that is disrupting airspace, causing significant challenges, costing a lot of money and creating a real sense of unease. It is really important that we have the right capability to be able to detect what is in our skies, what is happening over our waters and importantly, under water. This is an area through the maritime security strategy that we will be able to ensure we can progress as quickly as possible. The counter-UAS anti-drone technology is progressing this year. There were tenders agreed last year for the sonar programmes, that is, the radar programmes under water. That will be complemented by the sonobuoys, which will be worked from our helicopters. The longer-range equipment required on our ships will take a little bit longer. This is being done in stages. This is an absolute priority. We want to make sure we can move along the various stages as quickly as possible.

I acknowledge that a Government-level approach with one country is favoured in the development of radar capability and that negotiations have begun with France on a potential agreement in this regard. As such, I ask the Minister what engagement she has had to date with her French counterpart on the matter? Can she give us an indication of the level of training necessary for the operation of radar and what is the estimated number of Defence Forces personnel who will be considered for radar duties? Finally, is it the intention that radar specialists will be recruited, possibly from France, as part of the initial operations of the programme?

I welcome the question from Deputy McCarthy. This is a vitally important area for us as an island nation. When will the counter-drone technology, the CUAS, be operational? The Minister spoke about the Presidency, which starts within a month. Realistically it is not going to be in place at the start of the Presidency. Is that not the case? What will be the first date on which the anti-drone technology will be in place? When will it be operational from the Defence Forces' point of view? It is far too late. This was meant to be delivered in quarter 3 of last year. That is down to the Minister’s predecessor but it is not good enough.

To answer the Deputy’s question, the capability will be in place by 1 July for our Presidency. Training is under way. I was with my French colleague just last week in Paris and we discussed not just the radar programme but other ways in which we are working more closely together. The French have been supporting and working closely with our Defence Forces personnel around the training on how to use this. This is just to assist. I stress that again because there is often a perception that it is the Defence Forces which are going to be carrying out all of these security measures. What they are putting in place will be to supplement and assist the work of An Garda Síochána. An Garda Síochána already has significant levels of counter-drone technology in place and more that they will put in place during the Presidency. We will assist through the introduction of counter-drone technology through the Defence Forces and throughout the year there will be further technologies provided. However, we will have what we need in place for the beginning of the Presidency. That training is under way. I assure the Deputy of that. What I spoke of with my colleague Ms Vautrin last week was other ways in which we could work more closely together. Are there other ways in which we can share our knowledge, experience and training? I think we underestimate the level of knowledge that our Defence Forces members and gardaí have in using these types of equipment. It is important that we work together and share our experience and knowledge. Obviously, where we can work together on purchasing, perhaps jointly, different types of technology or capability, we should always look to do that as well.