Ireland steps up defense: €2.5 billion for new fighter jets
Ireland does not have its own air force, but provocations from Russia have prompted it to change its defence policy. For the first time in half a century, Dublin plans to purchase new fighter jets and build radar stations.
Ireland intends to allocate €2.5 billion (approximately CAD 3.6 billion) to purchase eight (with an option for an additional six) fighter jets of an undisclosed type. Additionally, the country's authorities have decided to buy a radar system — radar stations will be built in three locations.
This decision marks a shift in Ireland's previous policy regarding protecting its airspace.
Ireland without combat aircraft
Ireland, like the Baltic countries, does not have its own fighter jets. Although it has a military air force, it consists only of transport and patrol aircraft, such as the Airbus C295 or Pilatus PC-12.
Eight training, propeller-driven Pilatus PC-9 aircraft, which theoretically can serve as light air support planes, provide limited capabilities for attacking ground targets.
The last two Irish combat aircraft, the Fouga CM170 Magister (in the CM.173 Super Magister variant), flown in 1952 and purchased from France between 1975 and 1976, were retired from service in 1999 along with the disbandment of the combat Light Strike Squadron.
Ireland rebuilds lost capabilities
As highlighted in the 2015 Defence White Paper (a document analyzing Irish capabilities and making recommendations for future actions), Ireland cannot intercept or detect aircraft violating its airspace due to the absence of appropriate radar systems.
Consequently, under an agreement signed in 1952, the United Kingdom is responsible for the security of Ireland's airspace.
A series of provocations carried out in recent years by Russian aircraft in the northwestern areas of Irish airspace, along with the activity of Russian ships, has nonetheless prompted Dublin to decide to restore the ability to respond independently to threats and intercept intruders.
