Ireland has signed an agreement with France to receive five mobile long-range military radars from Thales. The first systems are expected to be delivered in 2027, with full operational capability planned by the end of 2028.
The order was signed with France’s Ministry of the Armed Forces and its defence procurement agency, the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), as part of the Military Radar Programme.
The project is estimated to cost between €300 million and €500 million. It has three main components: ground-based long-range radars, ground-based air defence systems with counter-drone capabilities, and maritime radars for naval vessels.
The first stage will involve the delivery of five deployable long-range Thales radars. In parallel, Ireland is receiving ground-based air defence systems supplied by MBDA. Delivery of the air defence systems and counter-drone technology has already begun and will continue until 2029.
As part of the programme, these systems are to be integrated to create what is known as a Recognised Air Picture — a comprehensive picture of the air situation over Ireland. An official statement from Ireland’s Department of Defence says this will provide the capability to track air traffic within the country’s national airspace.
Maritime radars are another part of the programme and will be used to detect and track vessels off Ireland’s coast. The exact locations for the ground-based radars have not yet been determined, although strategic sites across the country have already been considered.
The specific Thales radar model that Ireland will receive has not been named in the official materials provided.
