Ireland has signed an acquisition order with France for the delivery of long-range military radars, the Government has said.<\/p>\n
Five deployable Thales long-range radar systems will be delivered as part of the agreement, starting next year, with the full capability to be in place by the end of 2028. The system is expected to cost \u20ac500 million<\/a>. <\/p>\n Minister for Defence Helen McEntee<\/a> previously said the system would strengthen Ireland\u2019s ability to police its skies. <\/p>\n The agreement with the French ministry for the armed gorces was first approved in July. <\/p>\n The Commission on the Defence Forces<\/a> had identified the development of a primary radar capability as an immediate priority to ensure Ireland could maintain a complete \u201crecognised air picture\u201d \u2013 meaning the military can see all aircraft over the State, including those with transponders switched off.<\/p>\n \u201cI am committed to providing our Defence Forces with the equipment they need to ensure the safety and security of our State,\u201d McEntee said in a statement. \u201cToday is a further significant milestone in terms of delivery of the military radar programme which was a key recommendation made by the Commission on the Defence Forces.\u201d <\/p>\n The Minister said being able to form a \u201ccomplete recognised air picture of Irish airspace\u201d would \u201cvery significantly enhance Ireland\u2019s ability to protect our skies\u201d.<\/p>\n Concerns about Ireland\u2019s ability to defend its airspace have been regularly raised in the past few years. <\/p>\n A drone sighting was recently reported off the Co Wicklow coast<\/a> around the time European foreign affairs ministers gathered at the Druid\u2019s Glen resort for an event as part of Ireland\u2019s presidency of the Council of the European Union. <\/p>\n Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin later downplayed concerns over security<\/a> with the report coming in advance of the high-profile visit by US president Donald Trump. <\/p>\n However, he added: \u201cThere is more to do offshore, and that work is under way.\u201d<\/p>\n