Ireland to spend €1.7bn on defence equipment in four years

Increased budget to buy a range of items from radar and sonar systems to aircraft and combat vehicles

Foreign affairs and defence minister Helen McEntee launching the Irish Defence Forces sectoral National Development Plan at the Curragh Camp. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews

A 55% increase in capital spending will see €1.7bn spent on defence equipment between now and 2030.

Foreign affairs and defence minister Helen McEntee announced on Thursday the multi-annual investment rising from €300m in 2026 to €360m in 2029–2030 in her department's National Development Plan sectoral plan which aims to deliver major capability upgrades across land, air, maritime and cyber domains.