Fighters and lifesavers on land, air & sea

RECRUITMENT to the Irish Defence Forces has almost doubled over the past two years, with 2025 seeing a 20-year high.

- BY CIARA O'LOUGHLIN

Some 788 people joined the forces this year, which is up from 415 in 2023 and 708 last year.

Applications for General Service Recruitment were 34% above 2024 and 83% more than 2023, while Cadet applications increased by 21% in 2025 compared to the previous year.

Training capacity will be expanded in 2026, as the force aims to reach its recruitment target of 850 people.

The Irish Defence Forces is increasing its personnel at a contentious time for security in European countries.

It continues to have the longest unbroken record of overseas service since first deploying a United Nations mission in 1958.

In 2025, its largest deployment remained as the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), where around 360 Irish soldiers currently serve along with Polish soldiers.