Ireland is poised to bolster its air defence capabilities significantly with the acquisition of a new anti-aircraft missile system and its first military radar system, marking a notable shift in the country’s defence policy. This move, as reported by the Irish Mirror, signals a departure from Ireland’s historically neutral stance with limited military capabilities towards a more proactive and assertive approach to national security.
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This development came to light through a recent parliamentary exchange initiated by former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who raised concerns about Ireland’s potential vulnerability given Northern Ireland’s participation in the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) and Ireland’s non-participation. The ESSI, a collaborative air defence system spanning from Turkey to Northern Europe, has not extended an invitation to Ireland. Responding to Varadkar’s query, Minister for Defence Micheal Martin confirmed Ireland’s absence from the ESSI but revealed that his department is actively analysing ESSI and other European air and missile defence initiatives. Importantly, Martin disclosed that Ireland is developing its own defence capabilities in this domain, with a focus on establishing the nation’s first military radar system, which will include an air defence component. This revelation implies the planned acquisition of an anti-aircraft missile system and signifies a potential departure from Ireland’s traditional neutrality in favour of a more assertive posture in safeguarding its airspace.
The heart of this initiative lies in addressing a critical vulnerability in Ireland’s current airspace monitoring capabilities. Currently, Ireland relies on civilian secondary radar for airspace surveillance. This type of radar depends on aircraft actively transmitting a signal via their transponders. When the secondary radar station sends out an interrogation signal, the aircraft’s transponder responds with identifying information such as its altitude and unique identification codes. While this system is effective for managing cooperative civilian air traffic, it has a significant flaw: aircraft can easily circumvent detection by simply switching off their transponders. This vulnerability leaves Ireland potentially exposed to threats ranging from drug smuggling to unauthorised incursions by foreign military aircraft.
To counter this vulnerability, Ireland is investing in a military primary radar system. Unlike secondary radar, which relies on cooperation from the aircraft, primary radar operates by emitting radio waves and analysing the echoes that return when these waves bounce off objects in the airspace. This means a primary radar system can detect aircraft regardless of whether their transponders are active, providing a more complete and reliable picture of airspace activity. This capability is crucial for military applications where detecting potentially hostile aircraft is paramount.
The new air defence system, which includes both the primary radar and the anti-aircraft missile system, represents a substantial financial commitment, with an estimated total cost of around €300 million. The missile system alone is projected to cost between €50 million and €100 million. While the final choice of system is pending, potential candidates include an upgraded version of the existing Swedish-made Saab RBS-70 or the French-made VL-MICA.
The current frontrunner appears to be the RBS-23, an advanced version of the RBS-70. Sources suggest the RBS-23 is favoured due to its significantly greater range compared to the RBS-70 (20km versus 5km), reaching an altitude of 15km. The RBS-23 also boasts a modern Giraffe radar system and can engage a variety of targets, including aircraft, drones, and even cruise missiles. The estimated cost for the RBS-23 unit, encompassing radar and missiles, is approximately €100 million. While the French VL-MICA presents another viable option, it carries a higher price tag, estimated at €150 million. It’s worth noting that the Irish Defence Forces currently utilise the RBS-70, but its accompanying Giraffe radar has been inoperable for at least two years, further underscoring the need for an upgraded system.
This ambitious undertaking, officially termed the Military Radar – Recognised Air Picture Programme, aims to provide a comprehensive and reliable picture of Irish airspace through a network of:
- Land-based long-range primary radar
- Ground-based air defence system, including capabilities to counter unmanned aerial systems
- Maritime shipborne radar system
A Department of Defence briefing paper, while acknowledging the substantial cost of the project, emphasises the government’s commitment to ensuring value for money for the taxpayer. The project’s requirement phase, a crucial step in determining the specific system and procurement strategy, is anticipated to conclude by the end of 2024. The new air defence system is expected to be fully operational by 2028, coinciding with the anticipated completion of the new military radar system. This comprehensive upgrade to Ireland’s air defence capabilities reflects a strategic decision to adopt a more proactive and assertive stance in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.
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