The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Michael Martin, has welcomed the announcement of capital funding for Defence over the next two years. The revised allocations of €215 million in 2025 and €220 million in 2026 will boost ongoing efforts to modernise and upgrade equipment and infrastructure in the Defence Forces.
Announcing the increased capital allocations, the Tánaiste said: “The increased capital funding is a clear demonstration of Government’s strong commitment to invest in, and support, the transformation of our Defence Forces into a modern, agile military force, serving at home and overseas, while also responding to increasingly more complex global security threats and events.”
The increased capital funding will accelerate the transformation of the Defence Forces in line with the Strategic Framework and objectives set out in the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF).
In terms of the Air Corps, the funding will progress critically important projects such as the development of Military Radar Systems and the purchase of new fixed and rotary wing aircraft, including a Military Transport Aircraft. The funding does not specify any aircraft types but in November a tender was published for the supply to the Irish Air Corps of a new Jet Aircraft for Ministerial Air Transport and broader utility use.
Other branches of the Defence Forces will see investment in a range of equipment including Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Equipment, Helmets and Body Armour, Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear (CBRN) Equipment, and Night Vision Equipment, development of Sub-Sea Awareness Capabilities and Naval Fleet Management.
In addition, the increased allocations will accelerate progress on a significant number of Infrastructural projects over the coming years, such as;
- Upgrade and increased capacity of accommodation in Haulbowline Naval Base;
- Development of a new purpose-built Casement Military Medical Facility;
- Upgrade and Refurbishment of McKee Barracks;
- Development of new CIS Workshop Facility, Defence Forces Training Centre;
- Development of a new Army Ranger Wing (ARW) HQ Building;
- Upgrades to various accommodation, storage, training and gym facilities in military locations throughout the country.
