€19m weapons deal for army to nab drones

STRATEGY Anti drone tech is heading to Ireland

- BY MICHAEL O'TOOLE, Crime and Defence Editor

A DEAL is to be clinched within weeks to supply the Army with weapons to take down drones invading our airspace, the Defence Minister has said.

Helen McEntee, who is Minister for Defence as well as Foreign Affairs, said last night the agreement would be finalised before the end of this year.

The plan, which will cost an initial down payment of €19million, means the Defence Forces will have the equipment up and running in time for Ireland's six month presidency of the European Union on July 1.

Weapons that can take down drones, or unmanned aerial systems, are seen as vital for the security operation for the presidency - especially as several high profile meetings and summits of EU leaders will take place here during the six months period.