Ireland’s planned purchase of combat jets and the development of a long-overdue national radar system mark a historic turning point in the country’s approach to air defence, ending decades of reliance on the United Kingdom to protect Irish skies.
Since 1998, when the Irish Air Corps disbanded its Light Strike Squadron, which operated aging French Fouga CM170 Magister jets, Ireland has had no combat jets. The country also lacks a primary radar system. Without these capabilities, a “secret bilateral pact” has seen the UK’s Royal Air Force (RAF) tasked with intercepting and responding to aerial threats in Irish airspace.
According to former Irish Air Corps head General Ralph James, this reliance on a foreign power, coupled with Ireland’s lack of radar coverage, has made the country “probably the most vulnerable” in Europe. Speaking at the Slándáil 2020 security summit, James warned that neutrality alone was not a defence strategy, stressing that Ireland must be able to deny its airspace to both sides in any future conflict.
In February 2022, a report from the Commission on the Defence Forces recommended an increase in air combat and intercept capability through the acquisition of a squadron of combat aircraft. Without a change of doctrine, the report states that the country would be left “without a credible military capability to protect Ireland, its people and its resources for any sustained period.”
Currently, the Irish Air Corps relies solely on eight Pilatus PC-9M trainers for aerial combat capability. These aircraft, ordered in 2004, are primarily utilized by the Flying Training School (FTS) of the Irish Air Corps College. While they can be armed with FN HMG machine guns and LAU-7 rocket pods for close air support (CAS) missions, their maximum speed of 320 knots (approximately 592 kilometers per hour) limits their interception capabilities significantly.
“Probably the most vulnerable state there is in Europe”
The Government’s new investment plans, reported by The Irish Times, directly address these concerns. Tánaiste [deputy Irish prime minister] and Minister for Defence Simon Harris has requested detailed costings and timelines for acquiring a fleet of at least eight combat jets with a preferred target of 12 to 14 aircraft.
The fighter jet acquisition, estimated to cost between €60 million and €100 million annually over the next 20 to 25 years, could result in total spending of up to €2.5 billion. Initial pilot training would take place overseas, while civilian contractors would likely be responsible for maintaining the aircraft. The exact model of aircraft being considered was not specified.
The plan is to base the aircraft at Shannon Airport (SNN) due to its longer runway and proximity to Ireland’s western approaches, which have seen regular incursions by Russian flight groups in recent years.
This decision builds on Ireland’s 2022 commitment to install a primary surveillance radar system, a capability the country has never previously possessed.
The radar system, expected to cost around €300 million, will have a detection range of at least 370 kilometers and will operate from at least three strategic locations. The system, due to be fully operational by 2028, will enable Ireland to track suspicious aircraft and drones across its sovereign airspace.
Together, these steps aim to give Ireland its first fully independent air policing capability in more than 25 years.
In the past, some policymakers floated the idea of international air policing, similar to the Baltic Air Policing mission operated by NATO over Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. However, as a non-NATO member, Ireland may lack access to such arrangements.
69 comments
Our enemy and historically our bitter enemy has for years being our protector, never seen that in school books or when the Irish government has always mouthed about our neutrality we are protected by our neighbour a nuclear power, and all this time the government has run down the shinners for having a finger in both sides, kept your friends close but your enemies closer sounds about right.
Exactly Patrick’s, so true, it’s just so laughable. Maybe a better idea would be get some coast guard and God forbid an Irish Navy with modern boats and trained personnel with descent salaries and career paths to guard and patrol our coastal waters against an ever increasing influx of drugs that blight our land and people’s lives. Oh sorry. Yes and we do like English football so much that the London Premier club’s stadiums are full to the brim every weekend with British hating, English football loving Irish travelling supporters, Give me a break.
It’s not about looking after Ireland, it’s about looking out for the Western approaches to the mainland. The fact the Irish get air defence for free is just a bonus.
That said whilst we appreciate Guinness and Jameson’s, I’m sure it would be great if you guys bought a squadron of Gripens and a nice radar to look out for the Atlantic side of the UK for us.
The mainland? Where’s that?
You needs some education around the facts of the relationship between the ROI and the UK:
1………..Your use of the word ” mainland” says it all in terms of attitude.
2………..The ROI pays the UK a fee for their response/scrambling services if required. NOT for ” free “
Coming from Canada, we we’re once protected by our “neigbour” too. Be careful.
Paddy, Canada is still protected by her “neighbor”. It would please us in the US if Canada and the rest of the world would pay for their own defense. The US is in no financial state to provide free defense.
The UK is not your enemy, try living in reality.
Thank God! It’s about time!
We should purchase around 6 jets over the next 4 years and then update regularly a core of 36 operational fighter jets
That’s an absolutely great idea, another waste of money. The might of the Irish force will surely have Putin quaking in his boots. It will make about 10 ceremonial flights to display its 2.5bn worthiness then end up in a museum. Get real, put the money where it’s needed into for one social housing.road traffic safety,monitoring and compulsory driving skills retesting, stiffer fines, address the drug and alcohol problems swept under the carpet. Help these people return to normal living with more finance for proven recovery plans and many more worthy causes. Leave the fighter jets to the Big guns who eventually screw the world up more anyway.
It must be great to live in the fantasy land that Tommy lives in. I’d cut social spending right down, the amount of money wasted on free liading bums is unnatural.
Driving standards are pathetic, using your logic let’s scrap driving tests.
Must be nice to live in your world…..
Ireland’s road fatalities jumped by 31pc – the biggest increase in road fatalities in the European Union – between 2019 and 2023, according to a new report by the European Commission.
The figures illustrated how Ireland was one of just six countries within the bloc that saw an increase in their road fatalities, but most of those recorded a single-digit increase, far below Ireland’s 31pc jump. The EU as a whole saw an 11pc decrease in the same timeframe.
Thats because our population has increased and said immigrants along with stupid people driving on thier phones.
We need a fighter jets and a PSR. Simples. Neglecting this fact is madness
As a African American, I always viewed Ireland as one of the few European countries with at least a smidgen of a moral core. This fighter aircraft insanity calls my view into questions, who the hell voted for this??!!??
As an African American, what Ireland chooses to do due to the changing geopolitical picture in Europe…is none of your business
Agreed
I agree with most of your post however much I disagree with buying fighter aircraft I do believe we need to beef up our defence capability. It should be in Cyber Security / Attack not in aircraft. We also need to defend the critical under sea cables connecting Europe to North America.
Ro
I agree entirely with you, modern warfare will be of an Internet cyber hacking nature to take down our important infrastructure, power, transport, food supply chains, water, medical, emergency services. No need for soldiers and armoury. Indeed again the protection of under sea communication and energy cables on our coastlines is paramount, a modern navy to police our waters makes more sense. I’m happy for our nuclear neighbours to patrol our skies as they have being doing for years, they have the technology and modern fighter jets but as mentioned, you’ll never see this in the history books. God forbid, the British looking out for our welfare as well as theirs and Europe of course.
Get a grip of yourself! We need our skies to be protected. Not just from Russia but in the event of an aircraft hijacking, should it happen, we have no aircraft to intercept it. That’s one reason we need fighter aircraft.
Nice for you to have had that free option for so many decades!
No-one else in the world has the luxury of being able to ignore defence; deterrence of aggression is the first duty of any government.
Probably time for Ireland to join NATO too, (or its European replacement). The world is becoming a hard, hard place for unprotected minnows in strategically important locations…
Always remember the old Chines saying: ‘You may not be interested in War, but War is interested in YOU!’
The Air Corps is a pipeline to commercial aviation – we train pilots and mechanics and operation crews and they will have jobs waiting for them in various parts of the aviation sector. It helps keep aerospace jobs in Ireland which is a good thing.
Yes, ideally these never see combat. They only are used in training, patrols and SAR (more S, no R). However they will still have some benefit economically.
However I’d note that security is not about generating revenue. It’s about protecting what you have. You had to pay for the locks on your doors. They’re not there to make you money; they’re there to stop people from robbing your home.
In some neighbourhoods though, a lock isn’t enough. You need a security door and a few locks. Bars on your windows. A monitored security system. The world is shifting in that direction. And if you live in a neighbourhood that’s run down you absolutely should get involved with local community groups to make it better. But you should also get that security door. So yes, we should engage with the EU and the UN and other groups to push the world back to a more positive and constructive place. But at the same time we should make it clear that we will defend ourselves.
Great news, Ireland needs this badly.
Time to step it up and protect yourselves. These times are very unsettling. Here in Finland we had to make the choice to be fully independent from a cruel neighbour. Now they would really think twice about invasion. If you value freedom you have to fight for it.
The first priority of a sovereign, independent nation is to defend itself. What point is there spending money on housing, hospitals etc if we are attacked or in fear of being attacked. The Internet cables surrounding this island not only act as the communication hub between Europe and North America, they help to run our energy network, our financial system, our transport network and our health service network. We are not defending ourselves.
This isn’t a casual volume of an aircrafts on show.
The Irish people are being misleadi.Firstly in relation to the triple lock. The UN general assembly green lights any UN peace keeping missions .Not the UN security council. There is no veto power on the general assembly. FF and FG have a well planned agenda that effectively has us militarising with the rest of EU and UK.New EU defence force.
I believe Trumps strategy with Ukraine creating a so called security crisis is all a ploy and is being used to get consent for EU states to spend up to 5% of their GDP on military and form new alliances with Canada and Baltic states. The US haven’t left the fold It’s all a con and our Governent is pushing this agenda. NATO may cease but what is forming is far more dangerous as we are being lead to believe we are under threat. An EU security force with Ireland doing so called peace keeping missions in Ukraine.The US industrial complex will be the real winners in all this. I don’t believe our government is going to look to China for a quote when it comes to military hardware or advanced Jets. This is going to cost more than a Children’s hospital. Maybe the government should have outsourced that to China.
Our Neutrality is being taken without our consent and by stealth. The real winners in strategy terms when the dust settles on this will be the US as currently 75% of European military spending ends up in the US. As for putting troops in the ground or Jets into Ukraine. That’s an escalation . Not a peace mission .Wake up everyone and protest these moves. The tripple lock is being tabled this Tuesday.
It’s about bloody time. We need to start defending ourselves, and not just relying on the RAF for intercepts. Our military needs to get its shit together, and that also means improving our God damn Navy. I’m not saying we’re going to be building aircraft carriers anytime soon, but at least we need to have assets to be able to defend our airspace, and not always asking the Brits for help. We cannot keep freeloading. With the langer across the pond, 2029 is going to be agonising slow, so we need to step up, just like the rest of Europe, and keep Mr “Should Swallow His Own Novichok” from stirring up more bullshit with the European mainland. It’s going to be a matter of time before this Cold War 2.0 becomes World War Three.
We should have spent some of the apple 13B on those Swedish diesel subs.
Protect our seas and skies.
I agree with most commentators. It’s long past the time we started defending ourselves. We need to ramp up our defence spending. And rename the lot, Navy Army and Air Force. Up the numbers in service, pay the young people properly and they will join. Join in with the European armies. NATO is too US controlled.
This aircraft is a Chinese fighter assembled in Pakistan. In case of a conflict do you want to depend on China’s goodwill for spare parts? F16 and F18 a little old. French manufacturing sites have a huge backlog so maybe Rafale is not available before a while. France gave its available Mirage 2000 to Ukraine so no stock in this respect. That makes Gripen a good candidate.
One good idea to get armed very quickly and cheaply in no time is to buy the very potent JF-17 3++Thunder Fighter Jets from Pakistan. Very Economical and potent jets. Brought down Indian SU 30s in a skirmish. Ireland can get a couple of squadrons functional in no time.
I think FA-50’s be better, or F15’s and 16’s with the help of the US forces in England, or Eurofighter’s with the assistance of the UK forces …
The population is just a little shy of Denmark, or Norway, so something of an equivalent size to them might be a good aim. Obvs the geopolitics of Eire are different, as is the physical geography. But the technical knowledge is there, and the historical perspective and political experience. Anyway, no one wants to turn up empty handed, the fella who never stands his round (excepting a man on hard times). Ukraine is that man.
The Russians would take Ireland in a week. Probably less. Martin plus Harris couldn’t make up even half a Zelensky. As for the loonies on the left, they would exchange thier Palestinain flags for the red flag, before being lead off to the Gúlag, as Gaeilge. The retaking of Ireland by the EU forces, when they’re ready, would be very destructive. Our neutrality is a nonsense philosophy. We are pro Ukraine and extremely anti Israel and haven’t a clue about anywhere else. We are a slave to the UN, a corrupt organisation with a majority of despots, autocrats, and dictators using “democracy” in the UN to undermine democracy. We wave a coward’s flag of neutrality while doing nothing to defend ourselves while our “leaders” spout nonsense about rules based order and international law as if that was a defensive wall around us. Ask Ukraine, invaded by a security council member no less, or Israel, attacked by a megalomaniac death cult which the UN will condemn neither organization nor actions of the death cult. In any event the full operation of this Harris Plan is years away, during which time he, or another of our Great Statesmen, will shelve the plan under pressure from Sinn Féin or the loonies because our Great Statesmen have no backbones. I wouldn’t be surprised if Harris let it drop after his March 17 visit to the USA as having outlived its usefulness in trying to persuade an un-persaudable Orange Man that we are a big player and serious contender. Then every February 17th roll it out again for the next March 17th visit to the White House, at least until Trump is no longer President.
Ireland should just buy a dozen L-39NG Skyfox and be done with it.
2.5 billion is not enough, we need more jets, more naval ships, we can no longer expect other countries to help us, we are a neutral but the world has changed and IRELAND has no choice but to protect itself, we send hundreds of millions to other countries every year, now it’s time to look after our own.
Go with Swedish-built Gripens. Much cheaper to buy and maintain than US F-35s, plus spare parts are not a whole ocean away. Tougher landing gear than F-35s or F-16s , so they can take off and land on motorways if the need to disperse arises. A great aircraft, only real problem is their engines are not Swedish but made by General Electric (US)
Don’t buy US equipment
Long overdue, well done
A 16 year old Irish girl died after waiting 12 hours in the Limerick ED. Ireland’s healthcare workers are overworked and understaffed. Ireland’s schools are understaffed and teacher pay is shit. Same with public transit..but Syphon more of the people’s money to keep the weapon manufacturers rich.
I’m often inclined to suspect that due to our history, and in spite of huge friendly family connections government circles in Ireland are loath to officially connect theirs and the UK’s military, although to many the overlap of geographical responsibilities are obvious. To imagine that an RAF fighter, shadowing a Russian bomber/spy ‘plane should veer off suddenly once the ‘air border’ with Ireland has been reached, or an Irish equivalent, once operational should likewise cease surveillance is absurd and would surely delight and amuse our joint potential foes.
What Ireland then? There is north and south..please be more specific!
Regards from Switzerland – martin
I WILL GIVE THE IDEA , JUST : F35 – 10 -12 UNITS AND ANTI AERIAL DEFENCE ISRAELITEANS COMPLEXES COMPLEXES ALSO , NEEDED STATIONARY ANTI DRONES MODERN MOBILE GUNS OR STATIONARY TO INSTALLING ACROSS IRELAND AND SOME IN SECOND LINE (GERMANS ) .THE COUNTRY NORMAL 3 DEFFENSE LINE SHOULD TO BE DEFFENCELINLINEDEFENDISUDEFENDI3USING 3 LINE BE GOOD.
ireland must buy european only
Please, please don’t leave this purchase to our politicians…
Why does Ireland rely on the UK taxpayers .
They could contribute in fiscall terms but no let others pay for it.
Especially how during Brexit the UK “wasn’t so European”
It’s about time. We are the weakest link in Europe. We need to grow up and defend ourselves and not have our hands out constantly. Switzerland is neutral also but is armed to the teeth. Nothing says we can’t have arms for protection. I’m not a fan of Simon Harris but he’s right in this instance.
This is encouraging. With Russian incursions, Ireland will hopefully cease neutrality at all costs. Neutrality in the 21st century is not a viable option.
I’m reminded of Irish neutrality during WW 2 when the Nazis were sending people to gas chambers, a black mark to this day.
I think about time in a changing world. Ireland can still remain neutral but have the trigger to observe and defend. I think on the recruiting process full checks and mental health and only Irish loyalty should be accounted for.
Presumably one part of the motivation for this is the increased pressure currently for NATO members to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP. Ireland is not a full member of NATO but is involved in NATO’s “individually tailored partnership program”. Currently it spends less than 0.5% of its GDP on defence.
I have a P-51 for sale.
Ireland should by fighter jets from Pakistan JF 17 block three is pakistan made top level fighter jets pakistan will give cheap then France usa or others
Even Ireland should try to get help from pakistan or China to have a nuclear weapons for strong defense
Wonderful news
About bloody time!
The government has for two many years relief on our neighbor to cover our air space and is now taking its head out of the sand we could lease jets from another European country who are in the process of upgrading to fifth generation fighters we could lease f16 from the danes or purchase the South Korean trainer which can go super sonic as an interceptor with low maintenance costs flying expenses and give our pilots some dignity in the job they would be trained for
Not before time. The failure to create and sustain a defence capability by successive governments has been a national scandal for decades. It is little short of shameful that it had taken sustained international pressure to force the government into doing the right thing at this late stage Anyone who doubts the truth of the maxim that defence of the state is the first duty of government only had to look to Ukraine. There are many excellent condition F16s available from EU nations like Belgium and the Netherlands that are upgrading to the F35 that Ireland could procure at reasonable cost, which could serve our needs for many years.
’bout time!
The Saab Gripen E, a slam dunk. Not the F16. Ignore American pressure.
About time ….. 4 years id too long .. As and we need a mini of 3 submarines. To protect cables
. Russia has a long term policy of deconstructing democracy in Europe .A small. Corrupt elite have a grip on the people …It has no morals and kill casually to maintain it
Let’s see what public thinks
What aload of nonsense ane a serious waste or money. Simple Simon need stop wasting money.
I suggest go local I.e. European… Typhoon, Rafale, Gripen… nothing American.
Under Trump the US has blown up an 80-year-old alliance and is proving to be completely untrustworthy as an ally (individual Americans can be the salt of the earth and trustworthy; their nation now is not), and buying F16s or whatever could leave you with spares withheld etc.
Dont buy american Boy Donnie want Dad Russia to have easy access and will deny parts Swedish Gripens or French Mirage 2000s would be a good starting point.
The concept is way overdue! Despite your obvious dislike for your British neighbours you might consider the Typhoon as for commonality of operational commonality along with spares and support with the RAF!
Be neutral by all means but realise that means ,as pointed out by the head of the Irish military, you have to defend yourself. you don’t have mutual defence treaties because you’re neutral.
Most of us like peace but what happens when the bully picks on you? You guys did a good job standing up to the English 105 years ago, I’m sure you can do it again if need be.
I’m Canadian so my opinion may not necessarily be super valuable here but fulfilling Ireland’s defence needs while maintaining cost-effectiveness shouldn’t be too difficult. A squadron or two of either Eurofighter Typhoons, Rafales, or Gripens would definitely be able to get the job done and either should cost less than the €2.5 billion proposal. I think looking at naval assets additionally wouldn’t be a bad idea and specifically I would suggest discussions with Norway and Canada for offshore patrol ships. The two of us use related models and 2-3 should be more than sufficient for Ireland’s needs. They can easily extend surveillance range, provide interception capability at sea, and have surface to air missile capabilities to support the fighter squadron. Norwegian and Canadian offshore patrol ships also include a flight deck and hangar suitable for a helicopter like the NH90 or CH-148 Cyclone, either of which would further improve surveillance, search & rescue, or anti-submarine capabilities.
Well done Ireland, it’s absolutely the right thing to do in order to enhance the security of Irish air space given the current behaviour of Putrid of Russia. 3-4 modern destroyers for the Irish Navy would be a fine thing too to cover the Atlantic coast……..Thumbs up from England 🙂
American here, and let me be the first one to tell you that Ireland should ABSOLUTELY stay away from U.S equipment. Our equipment is very expensive and have pretty high ops/maintenance costs, plus its more difficult to field quickly; just take a look at the F-16s in Ukraine. With a €2.5 billion lifetime ceiling I think it would be more prudent for Ireland to pursue Gripen C/D or FA-50 Block 20 fighters, and if possible a modest AWACS platform (Like a Saab 340 Erieye AEW). This would give Ireland a balanced, scalable air sovereignty capability while staying under or close to the €2.5 billion budget…although I do think they should up it to €3.2 billion especially when you take armament and training into account. Anyway just a Yank’s 2 cent. Rooting for you guys!