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…
TBH 155mm seems an odd purchase given that the threats to Ireland are Air and Maretime…..maybe someone thinks Mad Vlad is going to rustle up a shadow fleet of landing craft.
Joking apart it is more likely peace keeping thinking and giving the team on the ground the teeth to do the job.
Unless the US starts its 52nd state play in them.
Hears a new rumour (add it to the list), the AC is looking/pushing at the NH90 as a procurement option, depending on whether the AC goes for a two or three type fleet option.
AW149 for air support for the Army and Meriln for future sea ASW or Wildcat.
NH90 cancellations in Norway and Australia are to be looked at.
Comes down to how many types, if the AC/IAF get a three fleet option, its the 145’s, either the 149 or 175’s for the Army and a small buy of NH90’s for the NS. If its only allowed a two fleet option it will be 145’s and NH90’s.
I think even with the problems the 90’s have had, I’d go with a larger fleet buy, if the NS are separate there’s far too much of a chance of a repeat of the Eithne/Dauphin BS.
But it’s just the latest of a long list of rumours.
Exciting times Mark
I may live to see two or three KC390s for lift.
After all the refusals by the DOD to even think about it, it would be funny as hell if it actually ended up being bought, but that again would likely be a LoA3 purchase if it happens.
Also a double order for the 145s is in order.
The main priority is surely ASW?
The 295’s are having sonobuoy deployment systems added and the P60’s are getting CAPTAS1 systems, but neither the AC or NS have the same capacity to absorb massive uplift given their current numbers, hence why the attempts to increase the establishment.
Airbus recently announced the ASW version of a plane the Irish currently operate, uses the same software and kit, remains to be seen how complex it is to upgrade if from Maritime Surveillance to Anti-Submarine Warfare on the same airframe.
There’s always been a ASW version of the 295s, other nations use them currently, whether the wiring looms are there for the ASW fittings is another question.
A landlocked country needs such a brigade? Who are they going to attack? How do 155 mm mobile fires protect under sea cables?
This is nota serious country. Never has been since 1922.
What country are you talking about?
It’s about defence and being able to stand up for yourself like Sweden and Finland did before joining NATO. As many posters on this UKDJ site point out and criticize Ireland’s lack of credible defence. Well Ireland is doing something about it.
I for one would rather have 400 armoured vehicles and 155mm Howitzers than not.
👍
Ireland’s done more overseas deployments than many realise. I get the feeling that they were in Lebanon for so long with little support. Unless there’s a secret agreement that had them able to ask the British at Akritori to be helpful to them.
O.3% of gdp on defence.
And Ireland is part of the Safe agreement it to buy kit from Europe.
The armour purchase of €500-1 Billion, the primary Radar acquisition of €300 million etc etc show that Ireland is improving capabilities.
The defence budget is increasing every year as well.
And Ireland is part of the Safe agreement it to buy kit from Europe.
The armour purchase of €500-1 Billion, the primary Radar acquisition of €300 million etc etc show that Ireland is improving capabilities.
The defence budget is increasing every year as well. Steady improvements.
Honestly, the Radar purchase is a biggie… Means they can watch the skies themselves and if they buy a Land-Ceptor or Equivalent Missile, they’re not as toothless.
The primary radar acquisition is indeed huge.
Should have been already in place as of 60 years ago, at least it is happening
To use against who? Being “Neutral” they do not fight off the island (I don’t count participating in UN Peace Keeping activities).
Why not? The DF has a history of engagements on UN missions all the way back to the Congo.
Ireland needs this armoured security for both at home and for EU missions.
Unless there is a change in the power of the UN,
Its street cred for overseas missions has dropped dramatically.
Ireland will realize this soon. Canada did after the 1990s missions in Bosnia and Somalia.
Obviously there is an advantage to us in pushing the boundary of our defence out beyond the area of the Irish Sea which has so much critical infrastructure but this is too beneficial to the irish.
It is strange how the irish are professing neutrality when it suits while at the same time acting subversively in funding and in part being led by terrorists in paramilitary action against the north.
We should at least make them pay – in advance – for the benefits they are gaining from being parasites.
I expect though that Labour enjoyed the fraternising as that is part of their stance. They also support terrorist pursuit of British ex Servicemen and Women.
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.
That’s a step Ireland really needs to take.. not having fast jets to defend your airspace is essentially a derogation of the requirement of a government to defend a nation. Army wise Ireland does not need much with its neutrality.. but fast jets and adequate ASW and patrol assets to defend and monitor your EEZ is essential for any armed neutrality.
And as I pointed out there are a huge number of steps before operating fighters comes into the debate.
Yep but it needs a roadmap to get there.. you cannot get to the finish line without starting…
We have a Road map, the LoA2-LoA3 put forward by the Commission, so far the Government is following it, purchase and operating fighters is a LoA3 aim, after the Radar buys, the infrastructure upgrades, the helicopter buys and crucially the expansion of the AC/IAF.
Is there a timeframe for the fast jets. That will be a big day for the An tAerchór… also is it true that they are getting renamed the Irish airforce ?
LoA2 is meant to be completed in a 2028-2030 timeframe but likely to slip, at the moment its only then the Government (or future one depending on politics) decides whether to go to LoA3 which brings in the Fighter buy as an option, so 2030’s. Now various ministers have increasingly talked about more resources, but never assume Finance and its bastard stepchild DPER will quietly allow it.
As for the renaming, yeah its meant to happen this year, just as the NS is to be renamed as well, primarily geared towards smacking it into the heads of the Army that they are equal services, something the Army has “struggled” with since 1922.
I’d imagine either an Arrowhead or some sort of ROV mothership might be heavily pushed from the UK side.
Like I said, Babcock have been trying since the selection for the 31. The naval regeneration plan is meant to be out before the summer, might give some flesh to the rumours.
Which summer? 🙃
Hey, the Irish DIP has actually been released already, so there’s that…
Some of the contracts for the base have already gone out to tender or sign off so, wait and see I suppose.
We are being taught some lessons…😒
To be fair, money isn’t the issue as such for the DF, its more being able to absorb and use it each year is the issue.
True enough. If they move at the same speed as the UK on integration they’ll still be waiting in 2035.
Arrowhead along with Euro Patrol corvette program is probably in focus.
Perhaps the AH120, that Babcocks have now put forward for the Swedish requirement, might be in with a chance. With Saab’s involvement it would also have an EU dimension, which might make it more politically acceptable
The rumour that went around the harbour last year around this time was that Babcock was putting forward something closer to their suggested MNP variant. Not sure dropping to the 120 variant gains much tbh.
Quite fitting the most useless armed forces in Europe tie up with the most pointless.
You mean we do it all for them when they need it and they pay nothing for it?
Until Ireland get a proper Air and Naval deterrent, I won’t hold my breath on their usefulness as a military partner
It came out just recently that 4.5% of gdp is being spent on borrowing just to stop the British state grinding to a halt under the weight of many demands. This is the equivilent of the average annual defence budget during the Cold War. Britain is in a huge mess financially and cannot cope with passengers. Ireland needs to at least match UK gdp on defence to pull their weight in defending these islands.
Until we realise that we have no credible defence with enemies to the east and west there is zero point in signing this. We need to up defence spending to about a half of GDP now and be building stuff in the UK, lots of stuff but most especially a genuinely independent nuclear deterrent built by us, transported on missiles and bombs built by us from planes, ships, submarines a d land based built by us, all maintained by us and including nothing from the uSA and without any agreements, maintenance, or anything with the USA. It is clear we cant trust them and this president in particular (though not uniquely) is happy to invade anywhere with ay minerals the USA might find useful and anything that might further enrich both the president and his war mongering friend Putin who is invading Ukraine for exactly the same reason, personal wealth..
Perhaps they could loan us the two Róisín class OPVs that are laid up as they don’t have crews for them. Useful little ships. They could agree to Maintain and support them. They could operate with RN crews (44 each) but be tasked with operating in the area around the British Isles only. It would free up other RN vessels and they would be kept operational for a few years until the Irish got their manning issues sorted and we got our frigate numbers up.
There were rumours a few years ago but nothing ever came of them. But honestly what do they bring that the B1 Rivers don’t already provide for the U.K.?
It’s a great idea. They are good ships and can be in service for another 10 years.
Tempting, but I suspect it will be easier and just as quick to keep to the plan and get Venturer and Glasgow in service.
I read a vague and unsourced comment the other day that Ireland is thinking of joining JEF. Sounds like nonsense or at least a misunderstanding by someone.
You probably saw some report on the Irish National Maritime Strategy, which refers to taking part in training and exercises of the JEF if non of the members oppose it.
I think it was on a YouTube comment so someone probably picked up the source you cited second/third/fourth hand and it got mangled.
So what is Ireland adding? I don’t see any Navy or Airforce worth the name. They aren’t in NATO either.
Cheque book? The MoU section on Joint Procurement and G2G deals, as I’ve said already we know the 139 fleet is to be replaced, we know Leonardo are pushing the 149 as the cheap and easy upgrade path, and we know the U.K. just dropped a billion to keep Yeovil open while hyping up exports. The Government might be hoping that an order of 8-10 more airframes and a life support package might be an option. Same for the NS, we know Babcock have long been pushing the Arrowhead as an option for Ireland, we know that the point where a decision has to be made an what comes after the fifth Type 31 starts building is coming soon enough and so far the deals with Sweden and Denmark haven’t happened yet.
So some insight into what this probably means in reality from an IT article this morning, the first steps will be the P60’s upgrades will include the sonar and radar upgrades along with some form of EW systems for CUAS, with fixed detection systems on undersea mountings, along with the sonobuoy upgrades to the 295s. Any detections will be passed on to the UK and France.