The Daily Star Ireland
Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris has directed officials in the Department of Defence to develop a more ambitious and proactive approach to modernising Ireland’s military capabilities. This enhanced procurement strategy will focus on securing new assets such as radar and sonar systems, along with the introduction of interceptor jets — a major upgrade to Ireland’s air and maritime surveillance abilities.
Harris made these remarks following the official opening of the new Defence Forces Cadet School at the Curragh in Co Kildare. He stressed that while Ireland remains firmly committed to military neutrality, neutrality does not mean avoiding necessary discussions about strengthening national defence and investing appropriately in security infrastructure.
The Government already plans to raise annual defence spending to €1.8 billion by 2028, but Harris highlighted that the current Programme for Government aims to surpass even that target, aligning with recommendations from the Commission on the Defence Forces.
To prepare for these increased investments, Harris has tasked the Department of Defence with evaluating future needs, including assessments of costs, required infrastructure, personnel expansion, and specific military capabilities. Upgrading air and maritime monitoring systems is high on the list of priorities, ensuring Ireland can effectively monitor both its skies and territorial waters.
The Tánaiste also reaffirmed his belief that Ireland will need a fleet of jet interceptors to respond to emerging threats in an increasingly unstable geopolitical climate. Expanding the Naval Service fleet is another priority, ensuring the Defence Forces are equipped to deal with modern security challenges.
When asked whether Ireland would consider deploying troops to Ukraine if a United Nations peacekeeping mission were established, Harris said that possibility would depend on a formal peace agreement and a cessation of hostilities. If such a mission required peacekeepers, the Irish Government would be open to contributing personnel, staying consistent with Ireland’s long-standing peacekeeping role under UN mandates.
However, Harris clarified that Ireland’s involvement would remain strictly within the framework of peacekeeping rather than peace enforcement, maintaining Ireland’s traditional stance in international operations.
Not everyone supports the increased focus on defence investment. People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett accused the Government of aligning itself with US President Donald Trump’s militaristic agenda, warning that Ireland is at risk of following a path toward greater militarisation.
Boyd Barrett argued that Trump’s policies — including threats of ethnic cleansing in Gaza and escalating tensions through potential trade wars — are driving the global arms race. He criticised the Irish Government for what he sees as bowing to US pressure, rather than standing up for Ireland’s established principles of neutrality and diplomacy.
