A Commission on the Defence Forces report has recommended that Ireland field a ‘squadron' of modern combat jet aircraft to fulfil the country's air-defence requirements. A number of types might be suitable for such a role, including the Saab Gripen from Sweden. (Saab)

Ireland's Commission on the Defence Forces has recommended that the country field a modern combat aircraft type as part of a wider raft of proposed military procurement suggestions.

In its report published on 9 February, the commission said that the Irish Air Corps (IAC) should acquire for itself an air combat and intercept capability through “a squadron” of combat jets.

“The air force should comprise of a structure that can manage, maintain, and administer a modern and balanced fleet of aircraft and, in the event that a primary air radar capability is introduced, as recommended, the Chief of the Air Force should be responsible for maintaining a recognised air picture to ensure that Irish territorial airspace and Irish controlled airspace are fully monitored and that any infringements on Irish sovereignty are detected and responded to,” the report stated.

A Commission on the Defence Forces report has recommended that Ireland field a ‘squadron' of modern combat jet aircraft to fulfil the country's air-defence requirements. A number of types might be suitable for such a role, including the Saab Gripen from Sweden. (Saab)

Ireland's Commission on the Defence Forces has recommended that the country field a modern combat aircraft type as part of a wider raft of proposed military procurement suggestions.

In its report published on 9 February, the commission said that the Irish Air Corps (IAC) should acquire for itself an air combat and intercept capability through “a squadron” of combat jets.

“The air force should comprise of a structure that can manage, maintain, and administer a modern and balanced fleet of aircraft and, in the event that a primary air radar capability is introduced, as recommended, the Chief of the Air Force should be responsible for maintaining a recognised air picture to ensure that Irish territorial airspace and Irish controlled airspace are fully monitored and that any infringements on Irish sovereignty are detected and responded to,” the report stated.

A Commission on the Defence Forces report has recommended that Ireland field a ‘squadron' of modern combat jet aircraft to fulfil the country's air-defence requirements. A number of types might be suitable for such a role, including the Saab Gripen from Sweden. (Saab)

Ireland's Commission on the Defence Forces has recommended that the country field a modern combat aircraft type as part of a wider raft of proposed military procurement suggestions.

In its report published on 9 February, the commission said that the Irish Air Corps (IAC) should acquire for itself an air combat and intercept capability through “a squadron” of combat jets.

“The air force should comprise of a structure that can manage, maintain, and administer a modern and balanced fleet of aircraft and, in the event that a primary air radar capability is introduced, as recommended, the Chief of the Air Force should be responsible for maintaining a recognised air picture to ensure that Irish territorial airspace and Irish controlled airspace are fully monitored and that any infringements on Irish sovereignty are detected and responded to,” the report stated.

A Commission on the Defence Forces report has recommended that Ireland field a ‘squadron' of modern combat jet aircraft to fulfil the country's air-defence requirements. A number of types might be suitable for such a role, including the Saab Gripen from Sweden. (Saab)

Ireland's Commission on the Defence Forces has recommended that the country field a modern combat aircraft type as part of a wider raft of proposed military procurement suggestions.

In its report published on 9 February, the commission said that the Irish Air Corps (IAC) should acquire for itself an air combat and intercept capability through “a squadron” of combat jets.

“The air force should comprise of a structure that can manage, maintain, and administer a modern and balanced fleet of aircraft and, in the event that a primary air radar capability is introduced, as recommended, the Chief of the Air Force should be responsible for maintaining a recognised air picture to ensure that Irish territorial airspace and Irish controlled airspace are fully monitored and that any infringements on Irish sovereignty are detected and responded to,” the report stated.

A Commission on the Defence Forces report has recommended that Ireland field a ‘squadron' of modern combat jet aircraft to fulfil the country's air-defence requirements. A number of types might be suitable for such a role, including the Saab Gripen from Sweden. (Saab)

Ireland's Commission on the Defence Forces has recommended that the country field a modern combat aircraft type as part of a wider raft of proposed military procurement suggestions.

In its report published on 9 February, the commission said that the Irish Air Corps (IAC) should acquire for itself an air combat and intercept capability through “a squadron” of combat jets.

“The air force should comprise of a structure that can manage, maintain, and administer a modern and balanced fleet of aircraft and, in the event that a primary air radar capability is introduced, as recommended, the Chief of the Air Force should be responsible for maintaining a recognised air picture to ensure that Irish territorial airspace and Irish controlled airspace are fully monitored and that any infringements on Irish sovereignty are detected and responded to,” the report stated.

A Commission on the Defence Forces report has recommended that Ireland field a ‘squadron' of modern combat jet aircraft to fulfil the country's air-defence requirements. A number of types might be suitable for such a role, including the Saab Gripen from Sweden. (Saab)

Ireland's Commission on the Defence Forces has recommended that the country field a modern combat aircraft type as part of a wider raft of proposed military procurement suggestions.

In its report published on 9 February, the commission said that the Irish Air Corps (IAC) should acquire for itself an air combat and intercept capability through “a squadron” of combat jets.

“The air force should comprise of a structure that can manage, maintain, and administer a modern and balanced fleet of aircraft and, in the event that a primary air radar capability is introduced, as recommended, the Chief of the Air Force should be responsible for maintaining a recognised air picture to ensure that Irish territorial airspace and Irish controlled airspace are fully monitored and that any infringements on Irish sovereignty are detected and responded to,” the report stated.