The UK and Ireland continue to strengthen their defence ties under a 2015 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), according to the Ministry of Defence.
Responding to a written question from Dave Doogan MP of the Scottish National Party, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Luke Pollard highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the two nations in multiple areas of defence and security.
Pollard stated that the MOU “underscores the breadth of our bilateral relationship with Ireland.” He outlined key areas of cooperation that have been enhanced since the agreement was signed, including:
- Information exchange
- Joint exercises and training
- Participation in UN-mandated international peacekeeping missions
- Crisis management operations
- Capability development
- Cyber defence and security
Pollard also noted that “many other areas of cooperation” continue to develop under the agreement, reinforcing the close relationship between the two countries.
The Ministry of Defence maintains ongoing oversight of the MOU’s implementation, with Pollard confirming that the effectiveness of these arrangements is kept under “regular review, including through staff talks.”
This structured review process ensures that both nations can adapt their cooperation to evolving security challenges and continue to benefit from shared expertise in defence operations.
While Ireland remains a neutral state with no formal military alliance, its defence collaboration with the UK has increased in response to emerging threats such as cyberattacks and international security challenges.
What “defence capabilities” does the Republic even have, let alone sharing with us? The sharing seems mostly in the other direction…
The ability to transit the ROI airspace to intercept Russian and Hijacked aircraft? Because I don’t see the Irish having the ability to go ‘Highway to the Blarney Stone’
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So you think that the ROI sharing their airspace with us do that we can fly in and defend it for them counts as a shared “defensive capability”? I think it would be more accurate to say they’re sharing their “defence incapability”….
When it comes to defence, I don’t share any of the optimism expressed in this article. With its west and southwest facing Atlantic coast, and one of the largest seabed territories in Europe, Ireland occupies a key strategic location. It overlooks sea lanes and underwater infrastructure on which it and its fellow EU states rely, but makes very little effort to police these assets. Through its policy of military neutrality and self-imposed lack of military capability, Ireland appears content to rely on other nations to shield it. Most specifically, it depends on NATO and on the UK, as the latter protects its air space. Why would Ireland wish to join NATO and match the requirement to spend at least 2% of GDP on defence when it can languish at the very bottom of the European defence table, spending merely 0.24% of its GDP on security? The reason could be financial, but in our increasingly disordered and dangerous world this attitude is surely parochial, selfish and even reckless.
As US support for Europe recedes and, by design or default, underpins war-mongering Russia, is this not the time for Ireland to grow up and face up to threats to Europe’s collective security? If I were to draw a geopolitical cartoon, it would show Ireland crouching behind its West European friends, counting its blessings, whilst countries such as Finland and Sweden, as new members of NATO, plus Poland and the small Baltic States take off their jackets to take on a bullying Russia.
The Romans were right: Si vis pacem, para bellum. Why is it taking Ireland so long to realise this?
There have been updates in Ireland as to the Level of ambition that the Irish government is aiming for the defence forces.
A lot of the long term plans for the next decade have been effectively halved. The Army and Air Corps procurements in new (and more) armored vehicles and combat support helos. Gripen fighter jets also to maybe based at Shannon is also actively being looked at.
The Irish Navy has plans for 12 vessels with some of them with ASW/AA ability. Those plans are vague to the public but the funding is being committed.
This UKDJ article is about the collaboration between the defence forces of the Republic and the Kingdom as the UK sees active procurement and better kit coming to the Irish Defence Forces.
I think having a Russian submarine surface undetected off your coastline, but captured on video by local fisherman. Has been a wake up call. The Irish Navy does not have any ASW capability, which is why a T23 was rushed to the area.
Similarly the whole of the west coast of Ireland is pretty much blind to any aircraft not transmitting on their IFF or ADS-B. As there are no long range search radars covering this area.
I to have read that the Irish Government are finally waking up and putting their hands in their pockets to increase defence funding. But have yet to read if they are looking at long range radar, beside generating an ASW and QRA capability. I would like to be optimistic in this regard.
The radar contract is soon, 3 sets, 2 West Coast, 1 Midlands is the reports currently, main competitors are 2 American companies, 1 Swedish and 1 French, so Saab and Thales most likely from Europe, and given previous procurement history the front runners.
They’ve need to generate an air force, then a fighter capability, before getting to a QRA…
The Air Corps already exists, the Minister has been floating fighter acquisition but nothing on a budget line so far.
R of I. More interested in “wealth” creation than facing its responsibilities. Nothing to see here, move along.
With Ireland’s recruitment problems being even worse than the UK’s, perhaps they should concentrate on unmanned systems, maybe joining Project Cabot or operating UAS to intercept wandering Russian bombers.
The US and EU have allowed RoI to rebuild their economy by having incredibly low tax rates and become effectively an offshore tax haven sucking cash and taxes out of European economies. It’s time the US and EU had a word with their friends in Dublin about taking some responsibility and spending some of their apparent wealth……
Well, going by Trump’s comments when he meet the Irish Prime Minister. Those days are over according to Trump.
Not really, his comments were actually milder than some of his administration, his main complaint seemed geared towards the failure of previous admins to have prevented the industrial growth, which fits with his views that nobody but America should be in position to trade.
Did we watch the same meeting?!
Irish-American and Irish-Canadians are alive and well in both lobby and voter strength on the continent.
Trump made a comment about Irish Pharma moving to Ireland from America even though American pharma moved to Ireland in the 60s and 70s for their European offices. He had to say it to stick it Ireland in a light GOP way. Congressional mid terms are next year .
Martin pointed out the two way street of trade between the two.
Also Ireland is 5th in the world for holding US foreign debt.
The idea of a formal CANZUK association has really taken off in the last few week. It’s crazy that Ireland isn’t a fifth member as it’s actually the closest to the UK geographically, culturally, legally, economically – but politically there’s no chance.
Given that we basically “quiet quit” the Commonwealth by 1932, and then formally in ’47 it really shouldn’t be a surprise. Not that I think that CANZUK will ever actually happen but if it does grand for those nations.
CANZUK has become more talked about as of late for sure.
Ireland benefits from that now and any future agreement to that due to the Irish diaspora to those nations over the last two centuries.
Rumour around the harbour is that the MRV has morphed into a MultiRole Frigate with enhanced lift capabilities, a modified Arrowhead 140 from Poland is being mentioned.
What I thought it would turn into too. Not surprised if it happens.
That and also 3 or 4 of the Euro Patrol Corvettes I can see in the coming decade.
ironic that the Absalon was the rumour nearly 20 years ago, but like the rest of the rumoured list, its wait and see until we have actual orders signed.
Logically, as it looks like the EU may have to transform to become a military organisation, all EU countries should be subject to a fixed % of contribution. Countries like RoI should step up quickly.
Defence is still a national issue and none of the capitals are as yet willing to give up that control.