The Government has signed a contract worth almost €18m for the construction of the first stage of a modern facility for the Defence Forces’ elite armed intervention unit. Building of a new headquarters for the Army Ranger Wing (ARW) has been hit by delays. Defence minister Helen McEntee said on Wednesday her department had signed a €17.65m contract for the construction of the ARW headquarters at Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh, Co Kildare. She said the contract represents “phase one” of the development of the purpose-built Special Operations Forces facility, a three-phase project with a total cost of around €46m. The Commission on the Defence Forces in February 2022 recommended that the ARW should have permanent air and maritime task groups in Baldonnel Airport in Dublin and Haulbowline Naval Base in Cork.

Source: Irish Examiner March 04, 2026 23:15 UTC