Simon Harris 'convinced' country needs fighter jets to intercept hostile aircraft

The Tánaiste said 'I think we are living in a geo-security and geo-political environment that is volatile and we have a lot of catching up to do'

Tánaiste Simon Harris was speaking at the opening of a new Cadet School and new Garaging Facility at Defence Forces HQ. File picture

Tánaiste Simon Harris has said he was "convinced" that Ireland needs a squadron of fighter jets that are capable of rapid interception of hostile aircraft over Irish airspace.

The proposal was contained in the third of three investment options (known as LOA3) outlined in the Commission on Defence Forces report, published in February 2022.

The previous Government agreed to implement the second option (LOA2), which does not include procuring fighter jets.

But Mr Harris, who is also Minister of Defence and Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the new Government was committed to moving to LOA3 after LOA2.

Speaking at the opening of a new Cadet School and new Garaging Facility at Defence Forces HQ in the Curragh, the Tánaiste, outlined plans for increased investment over the medium term, including the procurement of a squadron of fighter jets.

Opening a new @defenceforces cadet school in the Curragh @SimonHarrisTD repeats pledges to bring defence budget to €3bn (sometime after 2028, currently €1.35bn) and increase personnel (currently around 7,600 and target of 11,500 by 2028) pic.twitter.com/dkXiSzGhFj

— Cormac O'Keeffe (@CormacJOKeeffe) February 28, 2025

"Yes, I am convinced of that case," he said. "I think we are living in a geo-security and geo-political environment that is volatile and we have a lot of catching up to do in terms of our defence infrastructure."

But he stressed this would be a process that would take time, a view echoed by Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy.

"You first have to get the primary radar, you have to get the enablers, and the final end state is the quick reaction aircraft that you would bring about to do the interception," the defence forces' chief said.