Achieving Level of Ambition 3 “as Quickly as Possible”: A Realistic Objective or a Mountain too High?
Azure Forum Strategic Insight 011/2025
By Brigadier General (Retd.) David Dignam
In February 2022, the Irish Government appointed Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF) published its report, marking an inflection point in the evolution of the Defence Forces. It found the Defence Forces to need significant transformation and modernisation, with that effort focusing on reforming the military’s capabilities, structures and people. The report identified three so-called Levels of Ambition (LOA) for the Defence Forces, namely LOA 1 current capability; LOA 2 enhanced capabilities; and LOA 3 conventional capability.