Defence budget increase will allow for planned purchase of military radar

The extra monies are also due to provide for the recruitment of “net 400 additional” Defence Forces personnel — repeating the commitment in Budget 2024.

The defence budget has received a €100m increase for next year, which will allow for “significant progress” in subsea surveillance and the planned purchase of military radar.

The extra monies are also due to provide for the recruitment of “net 400 additional” Defence Forces personnel — repeating the commitment in Budget 2024.

Tánaiste and Defence Minister Micheál Martin said the “record” allocation of €1.35bn was an increase of €100m on Budget 2024.

He said this will further progress the Government’s implementation of Level of Ambition 2 — the second of three investment levels set out by the Commission of the Defence Forces in February 2022.

Under the second level, the Government has committed to increase the defence budget to €1.5bn, in 2022 prices, by 2028.

“Budget 2025 for defence includes the highest-ever level of capital funding at €215m,” the Tánaiste said.

“In addition, a significant current allocation of over €805m includes funding for the recruitment of net 400 additional Defence Forces members.”

However, official figures show that the strength of the Defence Forces has fallen and, as of August 31 last, stands at 7,426 — down from 7,671 on the same date last year.

The Government has committed to increasing the overall strength to 11,500 by 2028 — 4,000 above current levels.

Mr Martin said the Government has allocated €469m to defence pay, including €13m for the additional 400 personnel.

Following pay increases to make the Defence Forces more attractive, a graduate cadet on commission now starts at €49,552, a school leaver cadet begins on €44,216, while a private three star/able seaman will start on €40,297.

Last July, the Tánaiste said there were 9,479 applications to join in 2023 and, as of June 30, some 7,469 in 2024.

Ireland does not have a military radar, meanwhile, and the Department of Defence estimates it will take until 2028 — at a possible cost of €300m — to acquire one.