Ireland spends least on defence among 38 European nations, study finds

The current strength of the Defence Forces is 7,557, almost 4,000 short of the 11,500 target. File picture: Colin Keegan / Collins Photo Agency Dublin

Ireland has the lowest spend on defence as a proportion of its economic wealth out of 38 European states, according to a new study.

It shows Ireland spends less than other neutral countries, such as Austria and Switzerland, neither of which have a navy or huge maritime areas to monitor and safeguard.