The Defence Forces secured a net increase of more than 200 people in 2025, six times that of the previous year, official figures show. It marks a continuing gradual turnaround in the fortunes of the Defence Forces since 2024, after successive years of a significant drain in numbers. The total strength of the Defence Forces stood at 7,756 at the end of 2025, compared to circa 7,500 in the last two years, almost 8,000 in 2022 and 8,500 in 2020. The establishment strength of the Defence Forces is just over 9,700, meaning the services are still 2,000 short of what they should be and 3,800 below what the 2022 report of the Commission on the Defence Forces recommends by 2028. He said the absence of a modern radar and sonar (for sub-sea surveillance) meant the Defence Forces is “effectively sea blind”.

Source: Irish Examiner February 11, 2026 02:00 UTC