Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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36. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current status of the primary radar programme and subsea domain awareness programme referenced in the National Maritime Security Strategy 2026-2030; the total projected cost of each programme; the timeline for delivery of initial operational capability in each case; whether these programmes were subject to competitive tender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17580/26]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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One of my key priorities as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces is maintained and developed in line with the Government’s decision to move to Level of Ambition 2 (LOA2), as defined by the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF).

Amongst its recommendations on capability development, the CODF recommended the development of a primary radar capability to ensure that Ireland can maintain a complete ‘Recognised Air Picture’, and that this should be an immediate and top priority. This is being progressed under the Military Radar Programme. There are three elements to this Programme: Land based Long Range Primary Radar; Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) systems, to include a Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) capability; and Maritime (ship-borne) Radar.

This programme of work is ongoing and very good progress has been made. Towards the end of last year, the Preliminary Business Case for the Military Radar Programme was approved. This concluded that a Government-level approach with one country was the preferred option and, in line with this approach, my Department has commenced detailed negotiations with France on a potential agreement for the delivery of all capability requirements under the Programme.

Full delivery of the Programme will be complex; but has been prioritised with a target date of 2028 identified in the updated CODF Detailed Implementation Plan which I recently published. That being said, elements of this capability will be rolled out in phases, starting this year with a particular focus on Counter-UAS capabilities, with a view to full delivery being achieved by the end of 2028.

With regards to the Subsea domain awareness programme, monitoring and surveillance in the subsea domain requires a multifaceted approach with different capabilities working in coordination to firstly detect an undersea threat, localise it, classify it and even track it as it moves through the water.

Consequently, a multi-phase programme has been approved with projects at different stages of delivery. These projects will deliver new capabilities to be used with our existing assets. Additionally, there is a long-term Capability Development programme of work currently underway which will plan required capabilities, in line with defence policy to 2040. This overall capability development planning approach will see new capabilities becoming available in the short, medium, and long term.

A major contract with Thales DMS France for the provision of towed sonar capability was announced in 2025. This towed sonar capability project is phase one of the multi-phase programme. The sonar, the first of its kind in Ireland, will be used for monitoring and surveillance in the subsea domain, thus significantly enhancing maritime security.

Phase two will result in a new Air Corps capability which can be used to detect, localise, identify, and track objects in the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This capability will be used in conjunction with the new towed sonar capability planned for delivery in 2027, and also with existing Air Corps assets. Planning for phase two is ongoing and therefore delivery of initial operational capability is not yet defined.

These significant investments in sonar capability will provide state-of-the-art systems, which will enable them to build a picture of our subsea, contributing to the overall maritime picture available to Naval Service, Air Corps and the wider Defence Forces.

As development of these capabilities, as outlined above, are intelligence gathering capabilities, further details related to their acquisition must remain confidential. However, I can confirm that all procurement activities are conducted in accordance with EU Directives on Defence Procurement.