Ireland joins EU push to fast-track defence equipment

Ireland will spend €16.5 million on modular body armour for its troops through the EU’s new Security Action for Europe (Safe) programme—its first use of the bloc’s joint military procurement scheme. The move aims to lower costs, accelerate delivery, and modernise ageing equipment, while raising questions about the country’s neutrality. Future purchases could include artillery, drones, and sonar systems as part of broader EU defence goals.

Explore what this means for Irish defence strategy