The United Kingdom and Ireland have signed a refreshed Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries, with a focus on maritime security, cyber defence and information sharing.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey and Ireland’s Minister for Defence Helen McEntee signed the updated agreement, which replaces a previous memorandum agreed in 2015.
The new framework expands cooperation across several areas, including maritime security, cyber defence, air domain awareness and joint procurement of military equipment.
Under the agreement, the UK Armed Forces and the Irish Defence Forces will increase collaboration on maritime security, including efforts to protect critical undersea infrastructure and improve responses to maritime incidents.
The two governments will also explore opportunities for joint procurement and government-to-government defence sales.
In the air and cyber domains, the memorandum provides for greater information sharing between the two countries, aimed at improving situational awareness and strengthening resilience against emerging threats.
The agreement was signed as the British Prime Minister met Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Cork for the UK–Ireland Leaders’ Summit.
Defence Secretary John Healey said the new memorandum modernises the framework for cooperation between the two countries.
“The UK and Ireland share a long history of defence cooperation — from crisis management and humanitarian operations to training, military education and staff exchanges,” he said.
“This rebooted Memorandum of Understanding modernises our framework for cooperation on areas critical to both our nations’ security, in particular to counter the growing undersea and cyber threats we share.”
Irish Defence Minister Helen McEntee said the update reflects the evolving security environment.
“It is appropriate that, after ten years, we take the opportunity to refresh our Memorandum of Understanding and provide for a particular focus in such areas as maritime, cyber defence, air information sharing and joint procurement initiatives,” she said.
The memorandum also confirms continued collaboration in areas such as United Nations peacekeeping, crisis management operations, humanitarian missions and military training exchanges.
Both governments said the updated agreement reflects the broader strengthening of relations between the UK and Ireland in recent years, while respecting the distinct defence and security policies of each country.
How about telling them to get off the neutral fence. Join NATO and start paying for their own defence
100% 👍🏻
Ireland just committed to 1 Billion Euro deal for up to 400 armored vehicles (Scorpion program) and Caesar Howitzers from France.
To be fair there’s still mixed signals on the final price of that, I’m wondering if the DOD might only be quoting the vehicle fleet price and not the stocks and support package that comes with it, not too mention the base infrastructure upgrades.
As I said in another thread, wonder what they will do for the 155s? Fire off into the sea? Can’t see them buying some random land to fire into the Glen, maybe use French ranges?
Remains to be seen. Glorious if it is that number. Even 200 vehicles would put the Army in a solid footing.
Base upgrades have ben coming along though.
They would have to use French facilities for the Caesars.
While base upgrades are happening/planned, so far the transport workshops haven’t been pencilled in for upgrades for vehicles in this weight class as far as I know. The minimum will be 200, but the KNDS director seems confident of higher number, so it’s wait and see.
We could use the sea, we did that a few years back for full charge 105 firings, though honestly I’d love to see the reaction of some of the ramblers in the Glen…
The French already have the Army and Radar/air defence contracts and sonar contract, leaving really only the helicopter replacement along with anything for the Navy for joint procurement.
While Leonardo has been pushing the 149, given the timescale for the NMH delivery not sure if that works for replacing the 139s. Babcock have long been trying to get a contract for an Arrowhead.
Can’t really think of any other big ticket procurements.
The sharing info bit is the agreement for when the radars and sonar systems are online, the JEF adjacent agreement will probably need to be fleshed out more.
Possible Gripen fighters is the other possible big ticket items.
Not likely anytime before the 2030s, the AC would need time to double in size and Shannon would have to built up as well. Besides which that’s not really a U.K. procurement.
Quite fitting the most useless armed forces in Europe tie up with the most pointless.