NATO maritime patrol aircraft monitoring waters near Ireland

Maritime patrol aircraft from France, Norway, and the United Kingdom have been conducting extensive surveillance over the waters off Sligo and Donegal on the west coast of Ireland.

This operation, which has been ongoing for the past week, is in response to suspected Russian submarine activity near gas pipelines and subsea cables.

According to reports from The Sunday Times, the aircraft involved in the operation include a French Bréguet 1150 Atlantic plane, which flew off the Clare coast, and Boeing Poseidon P-8 aircraft from Britain and Norway, which monitored areas off Sligo and Donegal.

These aircraft, especially the Poseidon P-8, are well known for their capabilities in tracking submarines. This coordinated effort underscores the seriousness with which these nations view the potential threat posed by Russian submarines in the region.

The implications for Ireland are quite serious; readers should note that the country’s lack of maritime defence capabilities has necessitated the intervention of its allies.

Ireland’s Strategic Position and Vulnerabilities

Ireland’s position in the North Atlantic places it at the heart of a vast network of undersea fibre-optic cables, which carry about 97% of the world’s communications and internet traffic. These cables are vital for global communications, linking Europe with North America. With over 550 cables spanning 1.4 million kilometres, these infrastructures’ security is paramount for Ireland and the global community.

The suspected Russian activity off the Irish coast is particularly alarming given past incidents. In August 2021, the Russian intelligence ship Yantar was spotted near Ireland’s coast, close to the submarine cable AEConnect-1 and the planned Celtic Norse submarine communications cable route. This pattern of Russian interest in the region’s undersea cables has raised concerns about potential acts of sabotage.

Growing Concerns and Military Responses

European intelligence agencies believe that Russia may be preparing acts of sabotage in EU member states in the lead-up to the European elections. The current NATO surveillance operation is a proactive measure to counter any such threats and ensure critical infrastructure security.

Ireland’s engagement in international military exercises has been noteworthy. Recently, Irish personnel participated as observers in NATO-supported naval activities off the coast of Sesimbra, Portugal. These exercises, which included the use of underwater drones, underscore the potential for international collaboration in securing critical undersea infrastructure.