What fleet could a better-funded Ireland sustain?

If Ireland substantially increased defence spending, what fleet composition would be appropriate?

A small number of frigate-level ships would be useful, backed by broader investment in air defence, equipment, and personnel.

Ireland's dependence on maritime trade gives frigate-level ships a credible role as flagships and as contributions to wider security missions. A small number would provide more useful sea-going capability than treating fleet expansion as an exercise in buying many lightly equipped hulls. The answer also stresses that ships cannot compensate for weak air defence or outdated equipment elsewhere in the armed forces. Sustainable pay and personnel policy would be essential because a competitive civilian economy makes trained people difficult to retain.