Ireland said on Wednesday it plans to buy a multi-million euro military radar system from France as it prepares to host the EU presidency next year, amid concerns over its defence capability.
The EU member "will now immediately begin detailed negotiations with France on a possible agreement" following cabinet approval, a statement on the government's website said.
A government-level approach with one country was “the only possible way for Ireland to develop the required radar capabilities,” she said.
"This approach guarantees the use of the experience and knowledge of a trusted partner country, which cannot be offered through any other option," she said.
Media reports estimate the cost of the new "Military Radar Program" (MRP) system at between 300 and 500 million euros ($350-585 million).
The move comes after several unidentified drones, blamed on pro-Russian actors, were spotted off the Irish coast near Dublin around the time Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in the Irish capital for a one-day visit earlier this month.
The incident emerged in a local media report only after Zelensky had left Ireland, raising doubts about its defensive capabilities.
The militarily neutral country, which will host high-level meetings of EU leaders when it takes over the bloc's six-month presidency in July next year, maintains a small army and has no combat air force or large navy.
The government is also “in final negotiations to conclude a contract before the end of the year” to secure anti-drone technology ahead of the EU presidency, Defence Minister Helen McEntee said in a statement on Wednesday.
"My department will work with the (Irish) Defence Forces to ensure they have the capacity to identify and neutralise the threats posed by drones," she said.
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