Ireland Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in ireland, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Defense Equipment
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Overview

Ireland has a small defense capability comprised of 7,557 permanent defense personnel across its armed forces (Army), Air Corps, and Naval Service. The Department of Defence provides liaison between the military and government, and administrative support in the management of major procurement and infrastructural programs. At the same time, the military does have financial authority for the procurement of most goods and services.

The Defence Policy Review 2024 outlines Ireland’s defense policy to 2028 and highlights key priorities over this period.  Deepening and broadening defense and security cooperation with like-minded international partners is key tenet of this policy. The establishment of a new Maritime Security Unit within the Department of Defense is one element to this cooperations.  It will lead the development of the National Maritime Security Strategy which will require cooperation with national and international stakeholders.

The Irish government has increased its annual defense budget allocation since 2022.  For 2026, it has allocated over $1.7 billion to its military with nearly $350 million assigned to capital projects. This will ensure significant progress can be made on key defense equipment projects, including the priority Military Radar Program. During 2025, defense officials visited leading international exhibitions, such as DSEI in London and the Paris Air Show, to view the latest technologies and innovations in the defense sector. They met suppliers of defense equipment and engaged with international counterparts. Ireland also signed up to the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) regulation which is designed to increase the bloc’s military capabilities.  The government hopes to utilize SAFE to speed up military purchases through partnering with EU member states to jointly order certain defense equipment and technologies.

Leading Sub-sectors

Armed Force

The Army (6,099 personnel) provides the primary capabilities for military operations at home and military peace support operations abroad. It is structured into two all-arms brigades, consisting of combat, combat support, and combat service support elements. Each brigade has been assigned a territorial area of responsibility with specific locations. New equipment is currently being deployed across the armed forces including advanced night vision technology, software defined radios, modern combat helmets, lighter “plate carrier” body armor and weapons.  Plans have commenced for replacing the army’s ageing fleet of armored personnel carriers (APCs).

Naval Service

The Naval Service (719 personnel) provides the maritime component of the nation’s defense capabilities.  It also conducts assignments on behalf of other government agencies such as the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), Garda Síochána (national law enforcement), and the Revenue Commissioners & Irish Customs. Its fleet currently comprises four Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV), two Large Patrol Vessels (LPV) and two Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV).

Air Corps

The Irish Air Corps (739 personnel) undertakes Army Support, Fishery Protection Patrols, and provides a Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS). It has a fleet of twenty-six (26) aircraft in service comprised of sixteen (16) fixed wing and ten (10) rotary wing aircraft. The Air Corps supports the Garda Síochána by providing pilots and technical support for the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU). It also provides support for the Health Service Authority’s (HSE) Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service.  Delivery of a new Ministerial Air Transport Service (Falcon 6X aircraft) is expected from Dassault Aviation in December 2025. Similarly, four new Airbus H145M helicopters are expected in early 2026.  Plans have begun to replace the fleet of eight Pilatus PC9 fixed-wing training aircraft.

Opportunities

The Defence Policy Review 2024 identified and prioritized a wide range of modern defense technology for the Irish Defence Forces. This encompassed ammunition; artillery systems, ground combat capabilities, soldier equipment; critical infrastructure protection; cyber; military mobility; air defense systems; maritime surface and underwater capabilities; and drones and anti-drone systems. Plans are well advanced for an Integrated Monitoring and Surveillance System for air, land and sea domains for Ireland, while significant progress being made for the procurement of Anti-Drone/ Unmanned Aerial System/ Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS). Planning will commence in 2026 to replace the existing medium lift helicopter fleet (Leonardo AW-139 aircraft) with a new fleet of eight super-medium helicopters.
The small Irish defense market is open and highly competitive with many international suppliers offering new and innovative digital products and services. Leading U.S. vendors encounter strong competition from European suppliers. There is a small select group of Irish distributors supporting international vendors who look to identify and source the latest innovative defense technology solutions from the United States.   

Until recently, most defense procurements have been Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) in line with EU procurement regulations. DCS opportunities are posted in the eTenders procurement portal. Through the SAFE program, the Irish government is becoming increasingly interested in utilizing a Government-to-Government (G2G) approach to fast-track critical significant procurements.  This also may present future opportunities for partnership with the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DCSA) via its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

Resources

Department of Defence
eTenders Irish Public Procurement Portal
Defence Policy Review
Defense Forces Ireland
Irish Defence & Security Association
 

For more information about Ireland’s defense sector, please contact:
U.S. Commercial Service Ireland
Email: office.dublin@trade.gov

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