Defence Forces Ireland UAV fleet

The Defence Forces Ireland UAV fleet program encompasses the acquisition of RPAS/drones for the Army and expanded RPAS capabilities for the Air Corps, aimed at enhancing surveillance, reconnaissance, and operational support across domains, alongside counter-UAS systems to protect critical infrastructure from hybrid threats. Counter-UAS capabilities are scheduled for introduction by 2026 with €19 million accelerated investment ahead of Ireland's EU Council Presidency, while RPAS enhancements are planned for post-2028 deployment as part of Air Corps modernization. From a defense-intelligence perspective, these systems provide comprehensive airspace monitoring, improved situational awareness, and response to emerging UAS risks, aligning with the transition to a modernized Air Force structure and Level of Ambition 2 capabilities.