James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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45. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the Department or entity responsible for the deployment of counter unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities to protect State infrastructure; and the work that has been done to ensure we have the capabilities to counter such threats [53600/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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A whole of Government approach is required in meeting the challenges arising from the various uses UAVs can be put to. In so far as the Defence Forces have a role in the manner, namely through the defence of the State from armed aggression , they continue to contribute to national resilience and whole of Government security objectives including aid to the civil power and aid to the civil authorities, as set out in the Defence Policy Review. The Defence Forces at all times keep operational plans under constant review and there will continue to be ongoing close liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces regarding security matters, including through regular coordination and liaison meetings.

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, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. As part of work that is currently ongoing to enhance the capabilities of the Defence Forces, a project team comprising senior civil and military personnel is continuing to progress the Military Radar Programme. There are three elements to this Programme: Land based Long Range Primary Radar; Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) systems, which includes Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) capability; and Maritime (ship-borne) Radar.

Good progress is being made across all elements, including the C-UAS element. Delivery of the Programme will be complex; but has been prioritised with a target date of 2028 set for full delivery. That being said, elements of this capability will be rolled out in phases, starting in 2026, towards full delivery by the end of 2028.