Ireland Considers Purchase of AD Fighters
Agreed. Anyway, we would police that airspace even if Ireland wasn't there. So in many ways it is an irrelevance that Ireland IS there in terms of policing the UK Air Defence Region. We would do it anyway, so the fact that Ireland benefits would not cost the UK anything in addition.
The following users liked this post:
Keeping to the neighbourly analogy above it could as much a case of ‘ you can drive your car across my lawn if you’re responding to an emergency, so long as you respond to my emergency too’ as much as anything else.
My own opinion is that we should have at least a basic capability developed that is entirely under sovereign, Irish, control. That way, any further cooperation can be on a more even and transparent level.
To be fair, no one knows what the nature of the govt to govt agreement is because, while we know it exists, the details haven’t been made public.
Keeping to the neighbourly analogy above it could as much a case of ‘ you can drive your car across my lawn if you’re responding to an emergency, so long as you respond to my emergency too’ as much as anything else.
My own opinion is that we should have at least a basic capability developed that is entirely under sovereign, Irish, control. That way, any further cooperation can be on a more even and transparent level.
Keeping to the neighbourly analogy above it could as much a case of ‘ you can drive your car across my lawn if you’re responding to an emergency, so long as you respond to my emergency too’ as much as anything else.
My own opinion is that we should have at least a basic capability developed that is entirely under sovereign, Irish, control. That way, any further cooperation can be on a more even and transparent level.
From The Irish Times, 2nd May 2022
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/irel...ears-1.4866904
JAS
Defence sources said the option currently being considered is a “Level of Ambition 2.5” ... This would see the Defence Forces receiving hugely increased cyber capabilities and a primary radar system which would allow it to monitor effectively Irish skies for the first time.
It would also receive increased air lift capacity, improved armoured personnel carriers and an increase in numbers in the Naval Service to allow ships to spend more time at sea.
It would also receive increased air lift capacity, improved armoured personnel carriers and an increase in numbers in the Naval Service to allow ships to spend more time at sea.
JAS
Looks like a reasonable upgrade
What will be the requirements of the new EU armed farces ? Will they respect the long held neutrality? Could be dangerous if the EU makes good on the recommendations to abolish the Veto for individual nations .Creating the conditions for more forever wars .
If only we had a say on whether that were to happen or not.
Well maybe they reckon they're unlikely to be invaded by anyone. And if they're big enough to invade then they're too big to stop?
The discussion is moving though, slowly but it exists which is more than I can say I’ve seen before. As for the air policing side of things, the cheapest/most likely option of a Gripen lease is probably off the table now given that Sweden are reactivating reserve squadrons.
As always, the devil is in the detail. Ireland doesn’t currently have an Airforce (it’s the Irish Air Corps) so many of the Trades and skills required in a ‘fighting’ airforce would need to be created from scratch. Just buying a dozen AD aircraft is only the headline event.
As always, the devil is in the detail. Ireland doesn’t currently have an Airforce (it’s the Irish Air Corps) so many of the Trades and skills required in a ‘fighting’ airforce would need to be created from scratch. Just buying a dozen AD aircraft is only the headline event.
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Galway
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A LEADING US jet fighter manufacturer has said the Irish Air Corps could buy or lease
Apples and oranges.
And for now a moot argument, there's plenty of steps for the Defence Forces to go though before jets arrive ... if they do.
JAS
As the comments stream under that link point out, getting the money approved and the requirement well documented and agreed would be the first step.
JAS, I grinned at your point on the T-50.
Of course L-M would recommend that!When it comes down to a selection, if the funds are approved and agreed, how does one conduct a fly off / op eval if one has no Fast Jet pilot base to draw upon?
Lastly: the training infrastructure is another expense (for both the maintenance and flying bits) but I expect that 'train overseas once selection is made' is the less expensive path forward in the near term.
It is interesting to see that a ten year time horizon is being discussed: good piece of expectations management, that.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Thread Starter
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...ins-government
Ireland ‘playing with fire’ for opening debate on military neutrality, says president
Ireland ‘playing with fire’ for opening debate on military neutrality, says president
Ireland’s president has rebuked the government for launching a debate about the country’s longstanding military neutrality and the possibility of joining Nato, saying ministers were “playing with fire”.
Michael D Higgins accused the government of a dangerous “drift” from a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy and said it risked “burying” Ireland in other people’s agendas.
The intervention, made in an interview with the Business Post newspaper on Sunday, puts a spotlight on a government-sponsored forum on international security, where Ireland’s neutrality will be debated. It also raises questions on the role of the president, who occupies a largely ceremonial post.…
The arrival of Ukrainian refugees, incursions by Russian ships that are suspected of mapping underwater cables and a 2021 ransomware attack by suspected Russian gangs on the health service have raised questions about Ireland’s meagre security resources.
The justice minister, Helen McEntee, defended holding the forum. “The president himself knows what the boundaries are here, and he expressed his views. Many would agree with him, there are many who would disagree, and that’s why we need to have this forum,” she told the Newstalk radio network.
Neale Richmond, the junior enterprise minister, said the president had sailed “close to the line”.
Ireland has joined UN peacekeeping missions but shunned military alliances and invested little in defence compared with other countries. Critics accuse it of saving money and claiming the moral high ground while sheltering beneath a Nato umbrella.
Micheál Martin, the deputy prime minister, said the government did not intend to abandon military neutrality but that the forum would explore evolving security needs.
Ireland has previously convened citizens’ assemblies to debate constitutional changes such as ending an abortion ban.
The upcoming consultative forum involves experts, academics and service personnel as well as citizens. They will meet on 22-27 June in Cork, Galway and Dublin…..
Michael D Higgins accused the government of a dangerous “drift” from a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy and said it risked “burying” Ireland in other people’s agendas.
The intervention, made in an interview with the Business Post newspaper on Sunday, puts a spotlight on a government-sponsored forum on international security, where Ireland’s neutrality will be debated. It also raises questions on the role of the president, who occupies a largely ceremonial post.…
The arrival of Ukrainian refugees, incursions by Russian ships that are suspected of mapping underwater cables and a 2021 ransomware attack by suspected Russian gangs on the health service have raised questions about Ireland’s meagre security resources.
The justice minister, Helen McEntee, defended holding the forum. “The president himself knows what the boundaries are here, and he expressed his views. Many would agree with him, there are many who would disagree, and that’s why we need to have this forum,” she told the Newstalk radio network.
Neale Richmond, the junior enterprise minister, said the president had sailed “close to the line”.
Ireland has joined UN peacekeeping missions but shunned military alliances and invested little in defence compared with other countries. Critics accuse it of saving money and claiming the moral high ground while sheltering beneath a Nato umbrella.
Micheál Martin, the deputy prime minister, said the government did not intend to abandon military neutrality but that the forum would explore evolving security needs.
Ireland has previously convened citizens’ assemblies to debate constitutional changes such as ending an abortion ban.
The upcoming consultative forum involves experts, academics and service personnel as well as citizens. They will meet on 22-27 June in Cork, Galway and Dublin…..