Overview
- The government is fast-tracking legislation to expand the Naval Service’s authority to board and inspect hostile or ‘shadow’ vessels, with enactment targeted before the Dáil’s summer recess and ahead of Ireland’s EU presidency starting 1 July.
- The five-year plan prioritizes safeguarding undersea data cables and energy interconnectors, warning of risks from surveillance, sabotage, espionage and other hybrid operations.
- Surveillance upgrades over the next two years include new radar, towed sonar and sonobuoy capability, alongside work on space-based sensors, uncrewed vessels and broader data-sharing.
- Dublin will deepen operational cooperation with the UK and France, examine participation in the UK-led JEF-Plus, and has not ruled out British or French patrols in Irish-controlled waters during the EU presidency.
- Anti-drone systems are being expedited with trained operators expected by July, while critics point to the EU’s lowest defence spend, a Navy currently able to deploy only two ships, no new vessel commitments and possible new east and west coast bases under consideration.