Key Defence Forces projects delayed in new government implementation plan

The updated Implementation Plan for the Commission on Defence Forces 2022 report follows an initial government plan from November 2023. File picture 

Completion dates for key defence projects — recommended by an expert group four years ago — have been delayed for periods of around a year and even two years in a revised Government implementation plan.

The updated Implementation Plan for the Commission on Defence Forces 2022 report follows an initial government plan from November 2023.

It details a large number of delayed completion dates, including:

• Development of anti-drone capabilities, with a completion date of Q3 2025 in the 2023 plan, is now down for September 2026;
• The further development of anti-drone technology was also set for Q3 2025 but now has a vague date of “post 2028”;
• The provision of two more medium lift aircraft, set for Q1 2025, is also pushed out to “post 2028”;
• The recruitment of a “further 100 personnel” to the new Joint Cyber Defence Command, with a commencement date of 2026, is now set for December 2027;
• Development of legal and governance frameworks between the Defence Forces and Gardaí on Intelligence was set for 2026, but now has a date of December 2027;
• National Maritime Security Strategy, which was due to be published by the end of 2025 and, more recently, in the coming months, is down for “planned completion date” of December 2028;
• National Aviation Security Strategy, which the 2023 plan said was subject to “further evaluation” before being accepted, is still down for “further evaluation”;
• The same applies to the whole-of-government air and maritime services “needs analysis” recommendation;
• A key recommendation of an expanded Naval Service fleet, to nine vessels, had a completion date of 2028, but is now down for “post 2028”;
• Creation of civil and military structures to counter hybrid threats was set for Q1 2025 in the 2023 plan but now is down for “further evaluation” to the completed by end of Q3 2026.

The September 2026 completion date for the counter-drone technology appears to be contrary to repeated Government statements that it would be in place before Ireland takes over the EU Presidency in July.

The reason why completion of the Maritime Security Strategy is down as December 2028 is not clear.

While a number of pay-related and human resources’ recommendations are on track others have completion dates pushed out, as have some gender-related recommendations.

• Cormac O'Keefe is Security Correspondent.