Ireland plans for radar capability in 2026
Ireland already operates C295s as maritime patrol aircraft but under boosted spending plans, which include an air surveillance radar capability, the force is receiving a transport variant this year. (Photo: Irish Air Corps)
The Irish Government has previously outlined ambitious plans, the furthest reach of these being the possible purchase of fighter aircraft to provide a capability the country’s defence force currently doesn’t have. A more advanced procurement effort for a primary radar is being fast tracked.
Ireland’s primary radar capability is expected to begin being rolled out next year, according to the country’s Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris.
Speaking to Ireland’s national broadcaster RTE, Harris said: “Year on year, indeed month and month from next year, we’ll be in an enhanced position.”
Harris, addressing the Irish parliament earlier this year, said that a project team comprising senior civil and military personnel had begun work on a programme to develop further military radar capabilities.
“This includes military primary radar systems, ground-based air defence, and maritime and counter uncrewed aerial systems,” he said.
“These are
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Land Warfare
-
![New teams form to compete for British Army Land Rover replacement]()
New teams form to compete for British Army Land Rover replacement
The UK’s Land Mobility Programme Light Mobility Vehicle requirement is designed to replace the British Army’s ageing fleet of Land Rovers with a vehicle with a Gross Vehicular Mass of less than 3,500kg. It could be for as many as 6,000 vehicles.
-
![Self-propelled howitzers are driving the European artillery renaissance]()
Self-propelled howitzers are driving the European artillery renaissance
After decades of force reductions as artillery was deprioritised, Europe is now undergoing an artillery renaissance as governments across the continent scramble to invest in new capabilities in response to the war in Ukraine.
-
![US Army’s future autonomous launcher nears next phase with awards expected in August]()
US Army’s future autonomous launcher nears next phase with awards expected in August
The Common Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (CAML) is the US Army’s main effort to provide an autonomous or optionally crewed missile launcher, with more details revealed at a CSIS webinar discussion this week.
-
![“No single technology is enough”: why an integrated approach to uncrewed warfare is essential]()
“No single technology is enough”: why an integrated approach to uncrewed warfare is essential
In Conversation… Ahmet Akyol, CEO of ASELSAN, talks to Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan about how the rapid evolution of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) is transforming the battlespace, with militaries focused on both deploying these platforms to maximum effect and developing the defensive systems needed to counter them.
