Ireland remains bottom of EU table for defence spending, new report shows

The LÉ George Bernard Shaw docked at the Irish Naval Base in Haulbowline. Ireland’s defence spend will be eight times less than the EU average this year. Picture: Noel Sweeney

The LÉ George Bernard Shaw docked at the Irish Naval Base in Haulbowline. Ireland’s defence spend will be eight times less than the EU average this year. Picture: Noel Sweeney

Ireland's defence expenditure remains at the bottom of the European Union table, according to new figures.

The European Defence Agency's (EDA) Defence Data 2025-2026 report shows that, while 23 of the EU's 27 member states have met or exceeded defence spending equivalent to 2% of GDP, Ireland continues to spend just 0.2% of GDP.

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