Select engineering ideas and weapons systems, such as those that detect and destroy targets with lasers or with artillery fire, were originally planned for a ground combat vehicle.

The defense department will also spend 141 million euros ($159 million) this year on various projects, including upgrading the army’s fleet of 80 armored personnel carriers, buying an additional 30 armored military vehicles, and purchasing next-generation radio communications and signal equipment.Īdditionally, the country will prioritize the hiring of general service recruits, cadets, air force apprentices, and aircraft technicians.Early reports from the Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) indicate the Army’s “tank of the future,” which is currently in design, will be lethal but light-weight – and loaded with high-tech features. The Commission on the Defence Forces is expected to recommend strengthening Ireland’s radar surveillance capability as one measure to enhance the country’s preparedness. Additional PrioritiesĪ soon-to-be-submitted draft report of the Irish military’s future states that the country’s defense forces are not prepared to defend against an outside attack. In addition to purchasing a new warship, the country plans to upgrade its LE Niamh offshore patrol vessel and replace other outdated ships. Ireland will also procure a new multi-role vessel to replace the flagship LE Eithne – a move considered “an important element” of the military’s equipment development plan.

Replacing the Casa 235, the two aircraft will assist the Irish Air Force in conducting patrols and surveillance in the country’s maritime territory to track drug smugglers and monitor foreign warships.

Two C-295 maritime patrol planes costing 276 million euros ($311.5 million) will arrive in the country next year as part of the multimillion-dollar defense investment. Ireland’s defense forces will spend 566 million euros ($639 million) on new military equipment over the next three years, The Irish Sun reported on Tuesday.

Military tank future