The European Union’s proposed “drone wall” along its eastern flank has sparked a critical discussion about Ireland’s role in the continent’s defence technology sector. As several EU member states report increasing incursions by foreign unmanned aerial vehicles—most of which are attributed to Moscow—the need for a layered network of detection and interception systems has become urgent. This development presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Ireland, a country that lacks a traditional defence industry but boasts a thriving tech sector capable of producing dual-use systems.
Gokhan Celik, founder of Clare-based drone business A-techSyn, argues that Irish technology firms possess the expertise needed to contribute to Europe’s defence capabilities. However, he warns that Ireland risks missing out on lucrative contracts if it remains passive in the face of growing competition.
“We can not stay passive where everyone is fighting to get a piece of the pie,” Celik said. “We are at risk of missing out on winning contracts. We will miss out for sure if we continue like this.”
Celik points to A-techSyn’s recent success as evidence of Ireland’s potential. The company has secured several international contracts, including a deal to supply drone systems to South Korea’s fisheries ministry and a new joint venture in Denmark called Altaviate, which manufactures drone systems. With projected revenue nearing €10 million this year—nearly triple its previous earnings—Celik believes Ireland must foster “national champions” to help defence technology companies secure more opportunities in Europe.
“This will create the most effective support for us when we are approaching the EU, which is to have reference customers and proven systems,” he said.
Beyond drone manufacturing, Irish firms with less direct ties to defence are also positioning themselves to capitalise on the drone wall initiative. VRAI, a technology company specialising in virtual reality (VR) training for extreme environments, has developed a product called VADE, which allows operators to rehearse responses to drone swarms using VR.
Pat O’Connor, CEO of VRAI, believes the drone wall project could create opportunities for Irish companies, even if they are not directly involved in hardware production. “This type of capability can help design, test, and validate how the drone wall would operate, and also support training for the human operators at every level,” he said.
VRAI’s focus on high-value software highlights a broader trend in the defence tech sector: the growing importance of digital layers that enhance interoperability and usability. As Europe fortifies its eastern border, Irish firms are recognising that their expertise in software and systems integration could play a crucial role in making the drone wall effective.
Meanwhile, Irish companies are also turning their attention to domestic threats. Timothy Kelly, managing director of Corballis, an enterprise software company working in aviation and defence, notes that small, low-cost drones can cause significant economic disruption, particularly at airports. He argues that Ireland has strong capabilities in anti-drone systems, particularly in the component and software space.
Kelly highlights Corballis’ collaboration with German tech giant Rohde & Schwarz, which has engaged the Irish firm on consortium bids to integrate its ARDRONIS counter-drone solutions. These systems disrupt drone radio-control links, demonstrating how Irish expertise can contribute to both European and domestic security efforts.
As the EU moves forward with its drone wall initiative, Irish defence tech companies are positioning themselves to play a key role—not just as suppliers of hardware, but as innovators in software, training, and systems integration. The challenge now is for Ireland to leverage its strengths and assert itself as a meaningful player in Europe’s evolving defence landscape.