Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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179. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of fighter jets the Government intends to purchase; the estimated cost of each aircraft; the number of personnel required to operate and maintain each new aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18046/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government.

Equipment priorities for the Defence Forces are considered in the context of the established Capability Development and Equipment Development Planning processes, underpinned by significant increases in funding, with Budget 2025 providing a record allocation of €1.35 billion for the Defence Sector, an increase of €100 million over the 2024 allocation.

The Programme for Government commits to increased investment in Defence, providing the funding and political support necessary to achieve Level of Ambition 2 (LOA 2) Enhanced Capability, and move as quickly as possible to Level of Ambition 3 (LOA 3).

In that respect, the civil/military staffed Capability Development Unit, established in 2023 in response to a recommendation in the Commission on the Defence Forces to implement a top down Capability Development Planning Process, are currently preparing a Capability Development Programme, that will identify and cost, at a high level, the Capability requirements for the Defence Forces. This ongoing piece of work will then inform further work and analysis needed in terms of personnel and infrastructure requirements.

This is a crucial body of work, that will be progressed in a phased manner. In the interim the priority continues to be progressing to LOA 2, which will provide the foundations necessary for the step up to LOA 3.

The Commission on the Defence Forces recommended that under LOA 3 "As part of a national Air Defence Plan, the Air Corps would develop an air combat and intercept capability through the acquisition of a squadron of jet combat aircraft, allied to the development of associated operational, infrastructure and support arrangements". As such, the work that is underway to develop the Capability Development Programme will give consideration to that recommendation.

In terms of LOA 2 capabilities for the Air Corps, a number of projects are currently being progressed under the Air Corps Aircraft Renewal and Replacement Programmes. The delivery of a third Airbus C-295 aircraft (in Military Transport specification) is scheduled for September 2025; and a contract was also awarded in 2024 for the provision of four Airbus H145M light-utility multi-role helicopters, with deliveries due to begin in 2027. In addition to these procurements, further rotary wing capability will be the subject of a future procurement process beginning in the near term.

Also related to LOA 2 for the Air Corps is the Military Radar Programme which was established in response to the recommendation for the establishment of a Recognised Air Picture for Ireland. This Programme which is made up of Long Range Primary Radar, Ground Based Air Defence Systems and Maritime (ship-borne) Radar is of significant importance and has been prioritised. Work is ongoing and good progress is being made.