Ireland boosts defence capital spend by 55 percent to €1.7bn

Ireland is set to increase defence capital investment by more than half between 2026 and 2030, rising from €1.1 billion to €1.7 billion under the newly revised National Development Plan. The move signals a marked shift in long-term strategy, as the government seeks to address historic underinvestment and bolster national security capabilities.

Priority areas for upcoming spending are expected to include military radar, subsea surveillance, force protection equipment, uncrewed aerial systems, and expanding naval capacity. The potential for acquiring fighter aircraft and upgrading Defence Forces infrastructure is also under active consideration.

Get the full details on Ireland’s evolving defence investment strategy.