Minister Coveney welcomes the capital funding allocation for Defence announced in the 2022-2025 NDP

Minister Coveney welcomes the capital funding allocation for Defence announced in the 2022-2025 National Development Plan.

In total, Defence has received a capital envelope of €566 million over the 2022-2025 timeframe, with the 2022 allocation increasing to €141 million. Minister Coveney stated that this level of capital funding: “will boost ongoing efforts at modernising and upgrading Defence equipment platforms and built infrastructure. This is necessary in order to ensure the Defence Forces can continue to undertake the roles assigned by Government”.

In this regard, the White Paper on Defence has identified and prioritised the need for capital investment on a broad range of replacement defensive equipment programmes and on upgrading the Defence Forces built infrastructure.

Among the major Defence Equipment upgrade and replacement programmes set to be prioritised over the coming years are:

• Land Forces Capability Development and Force Protection Programmes, including upgrade of the military transport fleet and next generation radio communications and signal equipment
• Ongoing Naval Service Vessel Renewal and Replacement Programme, including the mid-life refit of the P50 Class of vessel and the Multi Role Vessel project
• Ongoing Air Corps Aircraft Renewal and Replacement Programme

A significant number of Defence infrastructural projects will also be advanced and completed under the Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Programme in line with climate change considerations over the coming years, including:

• provision of a new Cadet School in DFTC, Curragh Co Kildare
• provision of a New Military Medical Facility for the Defence Forces at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin
• upgrade to accommodation facilities in various military locations throughout the country such as Collins Barracks, Cork, McKee Barracks, Dublin and the Naval Base, Haulbowline

Minister Coveney concluded by saying “The level of capital funding provided reflects this Government’s commitment to Defence. I particularly welcome the funding certainty now provided by the NDP as it will enable the Defence Forces to continue delivering required outputs, both at home and overseas. I also look forward to the report of the independent Commission on the Defence Forces, which will inform future capability decisions.”