Irish report recommends new combat aircraft squadron, 12 ships by 2040
The Commission on the Defence Forces has recommended a AW139 replacement acquisition. (Photo: Irish Defence Forces)
A newly released report from the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) has called on the Irish government to invest in the acquisition of a combat aircraft squadron as part of a national Air Defence Plan.
The report also recommends that Dublin prioritises spending on a medium-lift helicopter procurement to replace a fleet of Leonardo AW139s and add ‘two fixed-wing aircraft with strategic reach capability,’ while also continuing to ‘further develop’ RPAS capabilities.
If actioned, the move to acquire and operate combat jets would represent a huge shift in capability improvement and overall defence ambitions for Ireland, which has been
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
New Zealand boosts defence spend to US$6.6 billion and vows increased closeness with Australia
This budget will be spent over the next four years and nearly doubles the country’s defence spending as part of GDP to 2%.
-
UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”
Rachel Reeves announced port upgrades, protected budgets for innovation and investment in novel technologies.
-
Avalon 2025: Australian defence budget meets the low expectations of show attendees
The Australian Budget was marked by tax cuts and a looming general election which led to little hope that there would be a substantial defence boost even with a big bill for nuclear submarines due.
-
Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market
The communications company Gilat launched its new Gilat Defense division at the Satellite 2025 expo, with future solutions aimed at US military customers.
-
Collins MAPS Gen II to equip US DoD watercraft
US services have already conducted multiple tests with military maritime systems fitted with the system.
-
OCCAR expects substantial boost in programme numbers “in the coming months”
Europe’s Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) “has to establish itself…as a centre of excellence for cooperative Defence Equipment Programmes” in the face of growing threats and the need for rearmament, according to the organisation’s chairman.