The Government is set to spend up to €200 million – so the Defence Forces can monitor foreign military jets in Irish airspace, it has emerged.
This paper has learned that the Cabinet is today expected to sign off on a request from Minister for Defence Simon Coveney for the so-called primary radar – something that Ireland has never had.
The lack of such radar means the Defence Forces have no way of knowing if foreign jet fighters or bombers are flying over Ireland – and sources say Mr Coveney is determined to fix that.
It’s understood he will later today bring a key memo to Cabinet about a recent commission on the future of the Defence Forces that recommended a major increase in Ireland’s military spending — and radar is top of his shopping list.
Sources say the minister will ask for Cabinet approval to increase the defence budget by €500m to €1.5bn by 2028 – a key recommendation of the report, which was unveiled in February.
That increase will see more pay for troops and more modern equipment — and the cabinet is expected to rubberstamp the minister’s plan later today.
Sources say the cabinet will back the general roadmap for Mr Coveney’s strategy – and he will also ask for permission to spend up to €200m on the primary radar.
At present, Ireland only has civilian radar – and that cannot track military planes for foreign states that do not use a transponder to show the presence in our skies.
The new primary radar, however, will be military-grade — and any aircraft in our skies will be visible.
A source told us last night the minister was determined to have proper radar for Ireland.
The source said: “It is time to close the major hole in our defences.”
Although the commission recommended primary radar – it also said we could consider buying fighter jets for the Air Corps, but sources say that will not be happening as it would cost hundreds of millions of euro, if not more.
Instead, we will still rely on a secret deal for the British RAF to police our skies in the event of a crisis.
Sources say Mr Coveney’s recommendation will mean spending of more than €8bn on defence between now and 2028.
That will also see some 2,000 military and civilian personnel recruited — and better pay for privates.
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