IRELAND is set to join a new EU scheme to buy drones, guns and air defence systems.
Defence Minister Simon Harris will today sign up to Security Action for Europe, which enables members to bulk buy military equipment.
The ability to team up with other EU countries will make the procurement process quicker and cheaper for the Irish Defence Forces.
The SAFE deal only covers specific military equipment and weapons including air defence systems, artillery, ammunition, drones and anti-drone weapons.
The procurement deal will also give Ireland quicker access to cyber security technology and weapons for our navy including underwater equipment.
This is part of a move from the EU to cut red tape around the purchase of military equipment and boost the Bloc’s defences.
The SAFE deal was agreed by the EU last month with each individual member state given the option of signing up.
The instrument also creates a €150 billion pot which EU countries can borrow from in order to purchase military equipment.
Tanaiste Simon Harris believes that the SAFE instrument could help speed up the Government’s plan to beef up our military over the coming years.
A Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces has recommended that Ireland increase spending on the military to €1.5 bn a year by 2028 and add 2,000 staff and soldiers to our army, navy and air corps.
Minister Harris said: “Availing of the possibilities available under the SAFE Regulation will allow Ireland to realise this ambition more quickly and more efficiently.
“I am determined to provide for the development of a full spectrum of Defence Force Capabilities that will bring Ireland in line with other similar-sized European countries.
“I have agreed, therefore, that the Department of Defence should leverage the common procurement opportunities offered under the SAFE Regulation as much as possible to progress delivery of Ireland’s defence capabilities needs as quickly as possible.”
TRUMP PUTS ON PRESSURE
It comes as US President Donald Trump pressured European countries to ramp up their spending as he threatened to row back American support for Ukraine’s fight against the Russian invasion.
President Trump has previously accused the EU of freeloading on the military capabilities of the US.
Earlier this week, NATO countries – which does not include Ireland – agreed to increase their military spending to five per cent of their economic output by 2035.
Ireland is one of the lowest spenders on defence in Europe with current spending equating to around 0.25 per cent of GDP.
