179. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Defence to give an update on the armour modernisation programme; if vehicles have been identified for purchase; the most recent estimated cost of the modernisation effort; and the date by which the vehicles will be delivered to the Defence Forces. [43593/26]

The Defence Forces currently operate a fleet of 80 MOWAG Piranha III Armoured Vehicles, providing essential force protection to Defence Forces personnel at home and overseas. In recent years there has been significant investment in the armoured fleet of vehicles with the enhancement of force protection and mobility with the mid-life refit of the MOWAG Piranha III fleet of vehicles. This programme has recently completed and will ensure the viability of the fleet beyond 2030.

Following the publication of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces in 2022, the Government approved a move, over a six-year period, to a level of Defence Forces’ capability equivalent to ‘Level of Ambition 2’.

More generally, in July 2025 the Government approved the National Development Plan (2026-2030).  As per the capital allocation under the NDP, the capital budget for Defence will rise from €1.1 billion under the previous NDP to €1.7 billion, the largest increase in Defence funding in the history of the State.

This level of capital funding will allow a phased planned programme of sustained equipment and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the recommendations approved by Government within the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, while building on the significant investment programme over recent years.

A key recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces which has been accepted in principle is the “replacement of the existing APCs with a larger and enhanced fleet equipped with sufficient firepower for future overseas missions, and with ‘level 4’ armour across armour platforms where required”.

A joint civil / military programme team are continuing their work on this programme in line with the Public Spending Code Infrastructure Guidelines. The Programme is being progressed in line with the recently published updated Detailed Implementation Plan.

Earlier this year I announced that the Strategic Assessment Case for the Armoured Fleet Programme has been approved, and that following the assessment of potential options for delivery of the Armoured Fleet Programme, in line with the recommendation of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, that a Government-level approach with France is the preferred option.

Officials from my Department have now commenced detailed negotiations with France on a potential agreement for the delivery of capability requirements under the French SCORPION Programme of vehicles. A whole-of-capability approach will be be adopted, to ensure that vehicle procurement is fully integrated with doctrine, training, infrastructure, personnel, and interoperability requirements. The programme is in the initial assessment phase. As such, the fleet size, role, timelines and costs are to be determined and are dependent on the ongoing negotiations and the completion of the necessary approval and sanction steps.

The Armoured Fleet Programme represents a significant step in addressing critical capability gaps and will ensure that the Defence Forces are equipped with a modern, integrated armoured fleet capable of meeting current and future operational requirements, both at home and on overseas missions.