Irish Defence Forces Launch €19 Million Anti-Drone Program Amid Rising Threats
The Irish Defence Forces are launching their first anti-drone program, informed by the Ukraine war and recent drone incidents. This €19 million initiative will employ a layered approach, including jamming, specialized aircraft, naval guns, and shotguns, to protect against drone threats at home and during overseas missions, especially during Ireland’s upcoming EU presidency.
The Irish Defence Forces are implementing their first anti-drone (C-UAS) program, learning from the four-year war in Ukraine where cheap drones have proven effective against advanced weapon systems, causing up to 80% of casualties and numerous civilian deaths. Drones also pose threats to critical infrastructure and have been observed near Irish naval ships in Dublin Bay last December, following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s aircraft.
During an incident in October, an Israeli drone dropped a grenade near Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon. Ireland’s upcoming EU presidency from July 1st, involving numerous world leader visits to Casement Aerodrome, has heightened urgency. The government initially allocated €19 million for jamming systems, but recognized their limitations against AI-piloted or fiber-optic controlled drones.
The Defence Forces will adopt a layered approach. The Artillery Corps will detect and track drones, with commanders deciding on “soft kill” (neutralize) or “hard kill” (destroy) options. Hard kill measures include Air Corps helicopter crews training with door-mounted machine guns, and two PC-9m turboprop aircraft being fitted with C-UAS weapon systems. Naval crews are training with 20mm guns and will receive “airburst” ammunition, with future plans for Italian “Super Rapid” cannons.
Army Mowag armoured personnel carriers are being refitted with remotely operated Bushmaster 30mm cannons, which will also use anti-drone ammunition. Individual soldiers are receiving shotguns, proven effective in Ukraine. A new training program will enable soldiers to identify and track drones, skills crucial for the EU presidency and future peacekeeping missions.