Defence Forces (Ireland)
| Defence Forces | |
|---|---|
| Fórsaí Cosanta Óglaigh na hÉireann | |
| Founded | 1 October 1924 |
| Service branches | |
| Headquarters | DFHQ McKee Barracks, Dublin |
| Website | Official website |
| Leadership | |
| Supreme Commander | Catherine Connolly |
| Minister for Defence | Helen McEntee |
| Chief of Staff | Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy |
| Personnel | |
| Military age | 18–39 (as of 2026) |
| Conscription | No |
| Active personnel | 7,767 (Establishment: 9,739; December 2024) |
| Reserve personnel | 1,720 (Establishment: 4,069; Aug 2024) |
| Deployed personnel | 428 troops, 17 missions (as of March 2025) |
| Expenditure | |
| Budget | €1.5bn (2024) |
| Percent of GDP | 0.23% (2022) |
| Related articles | |
| Ranks | Military ranks of Ireland |
The Defence Forces (Irish: Fórsaí Cosanta, officially styled Óglaigh na hÉireann) are the armed forces of Ireland. They primarily encompass the Army, Air Corps, Naval Service, and Reserve Defence Forces.
The Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces is the President of Ireland. All Defence Forces officers hold their commission from the President of Ireland. Still, in practice, the Minister for Defence acts on the President of Ireland's behalf and reports to the Government of Ireland. The Council of Defence advises the Minister for Defence on the business of the Department of Defence.
As of June 2025, there were 7,531 permanent personnel in the Defence Forces out of an established strength of 9,739, a decrease from September 2020 when there were 8,529 personnel, comprising 6,878 Army, 752 Air Corps and 899 Naval Service personnel. As of August 2024, there were also 1,720 personnel in the Reserve Defence Force out of an established strength of 4,069.