Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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A key priority for me as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced in order to ensure that the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government.

Enhancing the physical working environment and equipment for our Defence Personnel is key feature of the recently published Strategic Framework which sets out the immediate actions to be taken to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future.

This includes the implementation of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) recommendations, particularly with regard to the enhancement of Defence Force Capabilities. The Commission's report included a wide range of further recommendations in relation to capabilities and funding.

In response, the Government approved a move to a higher level of ambition, known as ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission. The Defence annual capital budget for 2024 is €176 million, an allocation which ensured that the capital budget for Defence is maintained at its highest ever level. Implementation of the Commission's recommendations will result in significant increased investment in capability development over the coming years.

A key recommendation made by the Commission on the Defence Forces called for the establishment of a top-down capability development planning process through the creation of a new permanent civil-military structure.

Another important enabler for capital investment in Defence Forces capabilities is a top-down Capability Development Planning Process (CDPP) to identify, determine and plan for the development of current and future capability needs. In 2023 I established a Capability Development Unit within the Department, staffed with an initially small civil-military team. This team has commenced the implementation of a CDPP which will ultimately produce a twelve year Capability Development Programme, followed by a four year Capability Development Plan for the Defence Forces. These outputs will identify clear national capability priorities, providing direction for future capability development projects.

More specifically, capability priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered as part of the capability development planning processes which include both a five-year Equipment Development Plan and a Built Infrastructure Programme.

The Equipment Development Plan recognises the need to maintain and upgrade military capabilities having regard to emerging priorities, operational requirements and changes in technology. There is a significant body of work currently underway to ensure that the Defence Forces have the required capabilities with equipment projects in various stages of the project lifecycle.

There has been significant investment in recent years in the armoured fleet of vehicles with the enhancement of force protection and mobility with the mid-life refit of the MOWAG Piranha III vehicles project nearing completion and the delivery of Armoured Utility Vehicles. These projects have seen the integration of cutting edge technology and equipment into the vehicles.

Technology is an enabler of modern military forces and a Software Defined Radio Project which is the next generation communications system for the Defence Forces is currently in the marketplace. This complex project is being designed and customised to meet the Defence Forces' requirements and to incorporate systems and equipment platforms, it will support the joint common operational picture.

Work on capital investment in aircraft continues with the recent placing of a contract with Airbus for a military transport aircraft for the Defence Forces. The Airbus C295W transport aircraft is highly versatile and will provide a dedicated asset to support the Defence Forces military airlift transport requirements and provide a wide contingent capability.

This transport aircraft will enable the Air Corps to provide a wide range of services including logistics support and transport of troops and equipment, medical evacuation and air ambulance, Special Operations Forces operations and a general utility role. Delivery of this aircraft is expected in 2025. This transport aircraft will complement the two Airbus C295W Maritime Patrol Aircraft delivered earlier this year. These aircraft are primarily for maritime surveillance, particularly fishery protection.

With regard to Naval Service projects, two Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs), purchased from the New Zealand government last year to replace the now decommissioned LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara, were transported to Ireland following a yearlong project to regenerate and modify the vessels. Following their arrival in Cork, the IPVs are undergoing a comprehensive programme of works including crew familiarisation and training. They will become fully operational when all of these targets are met and as soon as possible. A project for the enhancement of subsea awareness capabilities, is also progressing well, with it's Needs Phase well underway.

These projects, across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, are a clear demonstration of the Government’s strong commitment to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern, agile military force, capable of responding to increasingly complex security challenges.