Strength of Defence Forces rises in 2025, but remains well short of targets

Members of the Defence Forces celebrate after the commissioning ceremony of the 100th cadet class at the Defence Forces Training Centre in Curragh, Co Kildare, last March. File picture: Brian Lawless/PA 

The Defence Forces secured a net increase of more than 200 people in 2025, six times that of the previous year, official figures show.

It marks a continuing gradual turnaround in the fortunes of the Defence Forces since 2024, after successive years of a significant drain in numbers.