Minister McEntee Confirms France as Preferred Partner for Armoured Fleet Programme

The Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, today (24 February) confirmed that France has been identified as the preferred partner for Ireland’s Armoured Fleet Programme following a detailed assessment of options.

The Government has approved a Government-to-Government approach with France, and the Department of Defence will now begin detailed negotiations on a potential agreement centred on the French SCORPION armoured vehicle programme.

Speaking today, Minister McEntee said:

A strategic assessment found that the SCORPION programme can meet Ireland’s operational requirements and provides a strong basis for further engagement. Market analysis carried out during 2024–2025 indicated that it is currently the only available programme capable of delivering the full range of capabilities required.

No contract has yet been awarded. Fleet size, roles, timelines and costs will be determined through the next phase of negotiations. Subject to progress, it is expected that a framework agreement could be finalised by the end of the year, in line with EU defence procurement rules and national infrastructure guidelines.

The Armoured Fleet Programme aims to replace ageing vehicles and enhance Defence Forces capabilities, particularly in force protection, mobility, firepower and interoperability. This investment reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring Ireland’s Defence Forces are equipped to meet modern operational demands.

1. The completion of the Strategic Assessment Report follows detailed market research assessments which were carried out by a project team comprising senior civil and military personnel. Market survey findings were shared during engagements with the EU Commission in 2025.
2. The Irish requirement is for mixed wheel fleet comprising 4 x 4, 6 x 6 and 8x8 armoured vehicles to replace and enhance the existing armoured vehicles in Ireland and to increase military capabilities of the Defence Forces in line with Level of Ambition 2 as outlined in the Report of The Commission on the Defence Forces (2022).
3. This is the initial engagement phase with France before any firm order for vehicles is placed, with the approval of this phase representing a first of a number of phases culminating in a Framework Agreement and ultimately an Acquisition Order. Ireland has not yet committed to purchasing the vehicles.
4. Ireland requires a whole of capability approach incorporating all elements of military capability to ensure that armoured vehicles are fully integrated with doctrine, organisational, training, infrastructure, personnel, and interoperability requirements.
5. The approach prioritises off the shelf, in service vehicle platforms across multiple capability variants with a proven technological maturity, operational record, and avoiding systems still in the research and development stage.
6. The French SCORPION Programme is coordinated by Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA), which is the procurement arm of the French Ministry of Armed Forces. The DGA steers the provision of French support in the form of similar type approaches to other partner nations.
7. The SCORPION Programme designed and built in France is a “system of systems” concept integrating several types of vehicles in a network based on a common information and communications system. This enables the platforms to be connected and interoperable in real time in order to increase the intrinsic capabilities of each platform and multiply them through coordinating collaborative systems.
8. The Scorpion vehicles are the Griffon, the MEPAC, the Jaguar, the Serval and the Caesar. The Programme offers specialised versions including enabling reconnaissance missions to be carried out. The Jaguar vehicle is the only one of its kind in Europe which combines mobility with the ability to deliver significant firepower integrated into the vehicle.
9. The SCORPION Programme combines vehicles of different types and links them by a secure communications network and aims to create a more coherent, responsive land force capable of meeting contemporary challenges.
10. The current fleet of MOWAG Piranha III Armoured Personnel Carriers have been in service since 2001 and have recently completed a Midlife Maintenance and Upgrade Programme extending the lifespan out to 2030. The Light Tactical Armoured Vehicle Fleet reached its notional end of life and is being withdrawn from service. This capability gap needs to be addressed particularly in terms of force protection, mobility, firepower and interoperability.
11. Modern military operations rely on integrated, networked communications and advanced technology across all platforms to ensure situational awareness, force protection and operational effectiveness. The future Armoured Fleet must meet modern international defence standards.
12. The Report on the Commission of the Defence Forces recommended 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”. The Government accepted in principle this recommendation. The Armoured Fleet Programme will address this recommendation.
13. All procurement under the Armoured Fleet Programme will be conducted in accordance with EU Directive on Defence and Security Procurement, and Infrastructure Guidelines.
14. Total projected costs associated will not be fully ascertained until the Final Business Case stage. Expenditure arising from this Programme will be met from within the capital allocations announced as part of the National Development Plan.