Ireland Military Forces 🇮🇪

Ireland's military capabilities are shaped by its long-standing policy of military neutrality and non-belligerence. The Defence Forces are not structured for expeditionary warfare or power projection. Instead, their primary roles are the defence of the state against armed attack, aid to the civil power (assisting the national police), and a significant, continuous commitment to international peacekeeping operations, primarily under United Nations mandates.

Military Structure and Manpower

The Irish Defence Forces consist of the Army, Naval Service, and Air Corps, supplemented by the Reserve Defence Forces. The total active strength is approximately 9,000 personnel, which is significantly below the established target of 9,500. This personnel deficit is a persistent strategic challenge, impacting operational readiness and the ability to fulfill all assigned roles. The Army, with around 6,000 active personnel, is the largest component but is also well below its target strength.

The Army is organized into two brigades (1st Brigade in the south and 2nd Brigade in the east and west) and a central Defence Forces Training Centre. This two-brigade structure was the result of a reorganization in 2012. The Reserve Defence Force, with about 1,720 members, is intended to be integrated with the permanent forces.

Equipment and Capabilities

The equipment of the Defence Forces is tailored for its primary missions, not for high-intensity conflict with a peer adversary.

• Army: The main armored vehicle is the Mowag Piranha III, a light armored personnel carrier. Artillery capabilities are limited to 105mm light guns and 120mm mortars. Standard infantry weapons include the Steyr AUG assault rifle, FN MAG machine guns, and Javelin anti-tank missiles.
• Naval Service: The Naval Service operates a fleet of patrol vessels designed for maritime security, fisheries protection, and drug interdiction in Ireland's extensive Exclusive Economic Zone. It does not possess major surface combatants like frigates or destroyers. The current fleet includes modern P60 class and older P50 class offshore patrol vessels.
• Air Corps: The Air Corps provides support to the Army and Naval Service and does not have combat aircraft for air-to-air defense. Its fleet consists of Airbus C295 maritime patrol aircraft, Pilatus PC-12 utility aircraft, and a helicopter fleet led by the AgustaWestland AW139. These assets are used for transport, surveillance, air ambulance, and limited troop support roles.

Strategic Trends

The Irish government has acknowledged the need for increased investment in defence. The 2024 defence budget is approximately €1.3 billion, with a commitment to increase this by 2028. This is driven by a need to address the personnel retention crisis and to modernize equipment. Key modernization efforts include plans to acquire improved radar capabilities for air and sea surveillance.

A "Commission on the Defence Forces" has recommended moving to a higher "Level of Ambition," which would involve significant investment to bring the forces up to a credible standard for national defence and to continue meaningful participation in international crisis management. While Ireland's neutrality remains a core policy, there is growing debate on its future, particularly in the context of European security cooperation. However, for the foreseeable future, the Irish military will remain a small, professional force focused on domestic security, maritime patrol, and peacekeeping.