Russian ships in Irish waters: Do we have a childlike attitude to defence?

Russian ships in Irish waters are testing the "weak points" of Europe’s defences, a security expert has said.
In recent days, the Defence Forces and Britain’s Royal Navy have been monitoring a number of Russian ships in Ireland’s exclusive economic zone.
Russian ships are not allowed to dock in EU or British ports and their presence is likely a refuelling mission - but it is also possible they are surveying Irish infrastructure.
“It was the fact that a number of them peeled away and appeared to loiter in the area,” security analyst Declan Power told Newstalk Breakfast.
“This is of concern because of the undersea cables that are in that general vicinity as well.
“So, an Irish Naval vessel was deployed to monitor [them].”
Mr Power said the Defence Forces were “extremely lucky” it had the manpower to keep an eye on the Russian vessels and the importance of the undersea cables could not be underestimated.
“They are responsible for a huge amount of commercial and other traffic between the United States and Europe,” he said.
“Damage to them would interfere with internet traffic of a personal nature, of a national nature, international nature and international commercial nature.
“The other aspect of this is that it is known, since the war in Ukraine, the Russians have been targeting and mapping external information of that nature - undersea cables, wind farms - anything of that nature that would be difficult to protect.”
Mr Power said Russia was highly unlikely to launch an attack on Ireland but was still a security threat.
“They’re seeking to see where the weak points are or the wobble spots within the European security architecture,” he said.
'Provocative weakness'
He described Ireland’s current defence policy as a “childish immature approach” and said Russia is taking advantage of it.
“There’s a defence theory called provocative weakness,” he said.
“Part of the reason we get the Russian attention, whether it’s in the air or in the sea, is because we are that juicy provocative target - we’re a wobble spot.”
He said Ireland should not join NATO but instead pursue “proper coordination co-operation and arrangements” with other European countries.
Last year, the Irish Government announced defence spending would rise from €1bn to €1.5bn annually by 2028.
The Department of Defence has been contacted for comment.
#russia #ireland #news

[@Dazbog373]

Belgium twice thought their neutrality was a shield until it wasn't ...

[@greattobeadub]

Civil servants have been in charge of Irish defense for decades. The agreement with the UK on flyovers was done by civil servants without even informing the head of the Irish defense forces at the time. Real neutrality requires being able to defend it.

[@chubblez1984]

It's actually embarrassing that we're a wealthy island nation in a strategic location on the north Atlantic that's unable to defend itself by land, sea and air, relying on its neighbours. Viewing it purely in terms of cost is nonsense. Our state coffers are overflowing with corporation tax revenue, why not use it to put in place a credible navy, air force and army? The state is so passive and lacking in forward planning, because as a people, if a problem doesn't affect us and affect us now, it doesn't exist, nor will it ever.

[@TruePatriotfreedomfront]

Ireland has absolutely zero NOTHING aircraft defence system to provide protection, Ireland depends upon other countries around it for aircraft protection in the Irish air space, it takes 15 - 20 minutes to get fighter jets into the air off the UK side and then another 25 - 35 minutes for it to reach off the Irish coast or all depends on the places of targets for the jets to be at, and let us not forget about the very fact that these jets are available for the protection of the Irish air defence against any enemy invasion. SO MUCH FOR THE IRISH DEFENCE SYSTEM. Russian nuclear bombers jets would have come and gone, by the time jets have reached the Irish air space off it's cost. JUST SAYING AS IT IS NT 🤗😅😅

[@patrickcunniff5936]

Ireland needs to support its defensive weapons industry! There are sea changes going on in defensive technology. Historically, neutral countries would spend more gdp on defence than Ireland does. I believe in our neutrality but I really do think we are naive. I also don't understand our neutrality with regards to European defence. It's not clear at all. It's all a real conundrum and should not be ignored by anyone. And really does anyone want to depend on the UK or America? To me it's also the elephant in the room anytime Ireland is in meetings with other European leaders about our common defence.

[@ciaranbrk]

I agree with Ciara here we need to build our air corps with actual jets. We need high quality radar and we need a few destroyers.

[@gerardodwyer5908]

Neutral Finland recently purchased 64 new Lockheed F-35s in a €10bn deal that includes lifecycle upgrade costs. In 2016 Denmark, another state of our size, bought 35 F-35s at a cost of €3bn. Not Ireland. We prefer to fly trainer aircraft and rely on the RAF or France's AAE. Let's not rely on the in decline RAF which because of budget cuts is forced to operate a dwindling number of frontline fighters that cannot match the most modern Russian combat aircraft flying. No surprise about Ireland. We are the Beal Bocht of Europe. To deliver a basic defence capability, the Irish Airforce would need a fleet of at least 10 next generation aircraft. At current prices, that would cost about €1bn. That cost would cover upgrade lifecycle costs spanning 30 years of service.

[@TruePatriotfreedomfront]

Cables Cables Cables Cables 💥💥 👋👋 Ireland your absolutely totally truly finished your the biggest European database centers for the US and the US military transportation hub, Ireland has been already put in the very top of the hit list the first infrastructure to hit the US NATO. 😂😂😂

[@aaronmarygreenwood2868]

The "Republic"'s like a crazy mixed-up kid!

[@thomasspeight3797]

All auld nonsensical gibberish