Reserve Defence Forces
The Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) (Irish: Na hÓglaigh Cúltaca) are the combined reserve components of the Irish Defence Forces. The RDF is organised into the First Line Reserve (FLR) and an active Second Line Reserve. The First Line Reserve is composed of former members of the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF) and, as of May 2023, had a strength of 276. The Second Line Reserve comprises the Army Reserve (AR) with, as of May 2023, a strength of 1,351 out of an established strength of 3,869, and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR), with a strength of 79 out of an established strength of 200.
| Reserve Defence Forces | |
|---|---|
| Irish: Na hÓglaigh Cúltaca | |
| Founded | 1 October 2005 |
| Service branches | Army Reserve Naval Service Reserve |
| Headquarters | Directorate of Reserve Forces, Operations Division DFHQ |
| Website | http://www.military.ie/en/who-we-are/reserve-defence-forces/ |
| Leadership | |
| DCOS Ops | Major General Anthony McKenna |
| Director of Reserve Forces | Colonel Colm Ó Luasa |
| Personnel | |
| Reserve personnel | 1,706 personnel (Establishment: 4,069) (May 2023) |
The RDF was established on 1 October 2005 and replaced the Second Line Reserve, previously named An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil (FCÁ) in the case of the AR, and An Slua Muirí in the case of the NSR. The Reserve has undergone significant reorganisation and modernisation in tandem with the Permanent Defence Forces as part of the "Single Force" concept.