Ireland's first maritime security strategy aims to address growing hybrid threats in the North Atlantic, with a focus on boosting radar and subsea surveillance capabilities. The country plans to increase cooperation with NATO members Britain and France, as well as participate in activities with the Joint Expeditionary Force grouping of 10 North Atlantic NATO member states. This move is seen as vitally important in addressing the growing concerns about Russia's 'shadow fleet' of vessels that may be used for espionage and sabotage. The strategy emphasizes the need to monitor and defend territorial waters, which cover a critical nexus of major transatlantic data cables and energy interconnectors.
The publication comes amid growing concerns about the threats posed by Russia's 'shadow fleet', with Ireland having been criticized for its lack of capability to monitor and defend its territorial waters. The country's neutrality and low defence spending have made it difficult to address these concerns, but the government has stated that it has no choice but to act in light of the growing threats. If anything happened to gas connectors with Britain, Ireland would not have an economy in 10 days, according to Prime Minister Micheal Martin. This highlights the critical nature of the country's maritime security capabilities.
Ireland's defence spending is one of the lowest in the European Union, with the country spending around 0.2% of its gross domestic product on defence in 2023. The government has announced a 1.5 billion euro budget for 2026, which is one-third higher than four years ago. However, this increase does not necessarily mean that Ireland will bring its spending closer to the EU average. Instead, the focus is on addressing specific gaps in the country's monitoring ability and developing new technologies such as uncrewed vessels and maritime drones.
The strategy calls for increased cooperation with NATO or the European Union's military powers, which is highly sensitive in Ireland due to broad support for the country's military neutrality. However, the government has stated that it has no choice but to act in light of the growing threats. The development of new radar, towed sonar and sonobuoy capability over the next two years will help address critical gaps in the country's monitoring ability.
Ireland is also looking at space-based technologies and cooperating more closely with EU data-sharing programmes. This move aims to enhance the country's ability to monitor and defend its territorial waters. The increased use of new technologies such as uncrewed vessels and maritime drones will also play a crucial role in addressing the growing threats.
The strategy emphasizes the need for Ireland to strengthen its maritime security capabilities, particularly in light of the increasing reliance on data cables and energy interconnectors in the North Atlantic. This makes it clear that the country's military neutrality is not a barrier to cooperation with other nations in addressing common security concerns.
While the government has stated that its 1.5 billion euro budget for 2026 is one-third higher than four years ago, this increase does not necessarily mean that Ireland will bring its spending closer to the EU average. Instead, the focus is on addressing specific gaps in the country's monitoring ability and developing new technologies.
The publication of Ireland's first maritime security strategy marks a significant shift in the country's approach to defence. The government has stated that it has no choice but to act in light of the growing threats, and this move aims to address these concerns. However, the increasing reliance on data cables and energy interconnectors in the North Atlantic makes it crucial for Ireland to strengthen its maritime security capabilities.
The strategy's focus on cooperation with NATO or the European Union's military powers is a significant development in Ireland's approach to defence. This move highlights the critical nature of the country's maritime security capabilities, particularly in light of the growing threats posed by Russia's 'shadow fleet'.
The increasing reliance on data cables and energy interconnectors in the North Atlantic makes it crucial for Ireland to strengthen its maritime security capabilities.
