Air Defence of Republic of Ireland

[ScottishCop]

Just out of interest, I'm sure I read a while ago, that the RoI had an agreement with the UK, that the the UK would provide Air Defence for the RoI if the need arose.

Does anybody know anymore about this or if its true?

[Squirrel 41]

Err, Right....

So are you asking about sensitive international agreement (if indeed it exists) and potential current and future operations (if such an agreement exists)?

Sorry to sound harsh, ScottishCop, but do you really expect a sensible answer? Umm?

Try asking your question here: Department of Foreign Affairs - Home

S41

[ScottishCop]

It was just something I read in the paper a while back.

I'm just interested in who does provide Air Defence of RoI as they lack any relevent aircraft for the role.

[cazatou]

I assume that there may well be some such "arrangement or agreement" to that effect as the Republic has "a limited Air Defence capability". I remember going to the Irish Air Corps Dublin Base some 20+ years ago and Dublin Centre instructed us to "Call Irish Military on 120.0 - GOOD LUCK".

After landing we were invited to the Officers Mess where we we met by a Reservist Officer who greeted us by saying "As far as I am concerned you are all legitimate targets".

Dublin International was better - we got Irish Special Branch escorts who took over the First Class Cocktail Bar to look after us.

PS If you are intertested - does that mean you have trouble with your interstices?

[Lurking123]

I think it would be fair to assume that the UK wouldn't knowingly standby and watch Terry Terrorist do something stupid to the ROI. As far as formal agreements etc are concerned, I speculate that such information would be politically very sensitive and I'm not sure anyone in their right mind would be willing to give you a definitive answer on Proone.

[ScottishCop]

Im not interested in sensitive things. I'm just wondering about who covers the Air Defence for the RoI, if any.

For instance, I believe Australia would cover New Zealand if need be, due to NZ having no combat Aircraft.

[Pontius Navigator]

In the case of Australia and New Zealand there is a well publicised mutal pact.

In the case of Ireland and Irish Neutrality I have seen maps where Ireland was not actually drawn on the maps.

[KG86]

And precisely which threat would the ROI need to defend against?

Come to think about it, which threat does the UK's AD Force guard against?

[themightyimp]

Originally Posted by KG86

And precisely which threat would the ROI need to defend against?

Come to think about it, which threat does the UK's AD Force guard against?

Have you read the papers lately about Russian infringements of the UKADR or can't you read? If you can't read then I would like to point out that even the Sun ran a story on it

[enginesuck]

in true pprune tradition, if he cannot read then your post is null and void .... sorry but its contagous.....

[KG86]

Looks like I got a bite!

Sorry, themightyimp, I was being a bit facetious here. Nevertheless, 'threat' is defined as 'capability plus intent'. I have no doubt that Russia has the capability to launch an attack against the UK, but has it the intent?

[knowitall]

well the slovenians are paying the italians 60million usd a year for air defence!

with repects to the UK and the ROI i suspect there's an "understanding" as opposed to an "agrement"


"Come to think about it, which threat does the UK's AD Force guard against? "


Have you been in a Coma since 10/09/2001?

[Zoom]

Not sure that they deserve the UK's assistance after their proclaimed and demonstrated loyalties in two World Wars (although there were many much-appreciated individual exceptions).

[VinRouge]

I think they have it covered....

[eurocopter beans]

During world War 1 Ireland was still under british rule so there was no such thing as irish neutrality until irish independence in 1922.

[KG86]

But, in WW2 it was a different matter.
I had the privelege of chatting to a gentleman who was an observer on Sunderlands, based on Lough Erne, at the western end of Northern Ireland. They spent long hours on patrol, sub-hunting over the North Atlantic.
One night, his crew decided to nip over the (un-policed) border into the ROI, where there was no rationing. In uniform, they borrowed a truck, travelled the 5 miles to the ROI coast, and headed south to find the first pub.
They all piled into the bar and ordered a round of whiskies, As they were waiting to be served, they looked through the bar, and into the 'snug' and came face to face with a German U Boat crew!

[exscribbler]

Don't tell him, Pike!

[eurocopter beans]

The irish are renowned for their hospitality, if sunderland crews can sneak a pint why cant u boat crews! They should have had a game of football or something as the pipes of peace played.

[tornadoken]

The position of Eire in WW2 was both complex and sublime.

Chamberlain, after Anschluss, went to see Dev. He did not want to guard the Ulster border against Fenians, nor the Treaty Ports against revolting locals. He did want a re-run of WW1 when colleens and Paddies came over voluntarily en masse to serve in uniform and in Munitions Works. So that re-run was arranged. No conscription, but massive Munitions work - Harland, Shorts - in Ulster, and Coastal Command, and intended USAAFE B-29 at Langford Lodge; open border, freedom of movement, inc. of currency, no work permits or residence restrictions; UK out of the Treaty Ports; more...

UK airfield construction programme - which was vast and speedy - employed 60,000 Paddies, liberating fit Brits equivalent to, what, Monty's entire Brit. complement in the desert.

[teeteringhead]

And of course as the Free State was neutral in WW2, Das Dritte Reich were able to maintain a useful embassy there .....

..... in which embassy, Dev signed the Book of Condolences after Der Fuehrer's suicide in 1945 ......