Ireland Considers Purchase of AD Fighters
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Thread Starter
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/irel...time-security/
Ireland must be responsible for its own maritime security
Ireland, positioned strategically in the North Atlantic, finds itself at the nexus of a vast network of undersea fibre-optic cables, carrying about 97 per cent of the world’s communications and internet traffic.
With over 550 cables spanning 1.4 million kilometres and a staggering ten trillion euros in financial transactions pulsating through them daily, the importance of these cables cannot be overstated.
Yet, as global tensions escalate, with major geopolitical players like the United States, China, and Russia increasingly at odds, the spotlight turns to Ireland’s role in overseeing and securing these critical infrastructures. The importance impacts not only Ireland but also the broader European and global community.
This raises a crucial question: Should Ireland take responsibility for its own security, especially in protecting these undersea cables that are vital not only for its own prosperity but also for the functioning of the global digital economy?
This article explores why Ireland should, now more than ever, take a proactive stance in securing its waters and, by extension, a significant portion of the world’s digital lifelines…..
Ireland must be responsible for its own maritime security
Ireland, positioned strategically in the North Atlantic, finds itself at the nexus of a vast network of undersea fibre-optic cables, carrying about 97 per cent of the world’s communications and internet traffic.
With over 550 cables spanning 1.4 million kilometres and a staggering ten trillion euros in financial transactions pulsating through them daily, the importance of these cables cannot be overstated.
Yet, as global tensions escalate, with major geopolitical players like the United States, China, and Russia increasingly at odds, the spotlight turns to Ireland’s role in overseeing and securing these critical infrastructures. The importance impacts not only Ireland but also the broader European and global community.
This raises a crucial question: Should Ireland take responsibility for its own security, especially in protecting these undersea cables that are vital not only for its own prosperity but also for the functioning of the global digital economy?
This article explores why Ireland should, now more than ever, take a proactive stance in securing its waters and, by extension, a significant portion of the world’s digital lifelines…..
Sinn Féin say Irish reliance on British forces ’embarrassing’ (ukdefencejournal.org.uk)
Sinn Fein perhaps want the Republic to join NATO so they can cooperate better with the UK Forces.
FB
Sinn Fein perhaps want the Republic to join NATO so they can cooperate better with the UK Forces.
FB
In a word, no.
Not bloody likely. They can't afford it.
Sinn Féin say Irish reliance on British forces ’embarrassing’ (ukdefencejournal.org.uk)
Sinn Fein perhaps want the Republic to join NATO so they can cooperate better with the UK Forces.
Sinn Fein perhaps want the Republic to join NATO so they can cooperate better with the UK Forces.
Each political party transiently uses the problems of the DF to throw shade at each other before returning to the core subjects of health, housing and homelessness.
Any of them asserting neutrality should be asked how they would fund compliance with Article 5 of The Hague Convention. Hint: it’d be a lot more than it’ll take to reach LOA 2 or 3, and they won’t want to do it, hence being ‘non aligned’ as opposed to neutral.
Any of them asserting neutrality should be asked how they would fund compliance with Article 5 of The Hague Convention. Hint: it’d be a lot more than it’ll take to reach LOA 2 or 3, and they won’t want to do it, hence being ‘non aligned’ as opposed to neutral.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Thread Starter
https://www.theguardian.com/politics...hinktank-warns
Russia, China and Iran could target UK via Irish ‘backdoor’, thinktank warns
Britain faces a “backdoor” threat to its security from a Russian, Chinese and Iranian presence in the Republic of Ireland, according to a report by an influential thinktank that accuses Dublin of “freeloading” when it comes to European defence.
The UK should also expand its air and naval presence in Northern Ireland, to counter a growing Russian threat on the UK’s western flank, according to the Policy Exchange report, which is backed by two former defence secretaries, Michael Fallon and George Robertson.
The UK and Ireland are at risk from an “acute maritime menace” posed by a Russian doctrine of targeting undersea networks and pipelines and the presence of Russian warships, they say in a foreword to the paper.
Concerns about Russian intelligence operations in Ireland and its vulnerability to cyber-attack are also highlighted in the report, which cites what it describes as an “inordinately large Russian diplomatic outfit in Dublin”.…
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”.
The report tried to sound an alarm bell about the consequences of Sinn Féin winning Irish elections in 2025.
“If Sinn Féin wins in 2025, the UK is therefore looking at many more years of an uncooperative, and likely hostile, neighbour in the face of growing external threats,” it said.…
https://policyexchange.org.uk/public...the-back-door/
Closing the Back Door
https://policyexchange.org.uk/wp-con...-Back-Door.pdf
Russia, China and Iran could target UK via Irish ‘backdoor’, thinktank warns
Britain faces a “backdoor” threat to its security from a Russian, Chinese and Iranian presence in the Republic of Ireland, according to a report by an influential thinktank that accuses Dublin of “freeloading” when it comes to European defence.
The UK should also expand its air and naval presence in Northern Ireland, to counter a growing Russian threat on the UK’s western flank, according to the Policy Exchange report, which is backed by two former defence secretaries, Michael Fallon and George Robertson.
The UK and Ireland are at risk from an “acute maritime menace” posed by a Russian doctrine of targeting undersea networks and pipelines and the presence of Russian warships, they say in a foreword to the paper.
Concerns about Russian intelligence operations in Ireland and its vulnerability to cyber-attack are also highlighted in the report, which cites what it describes as an “inordinately large Russian diplomatic outfit in Dublin”.…
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”.
The report tried to sound an alarm bell about the consequences of Sinn Féin winning Irish elections in 2025.
“If Sinn Féin wins in 2025, the UK is therefore looking at many more years of an uncooperative, and likely hostile, neighbour in the face of growing external threats,” it said.…
https://policyexchange.org.uk/public...the-back-door/
Closing the Back Door
https://policyexchange.org.uk/wp-con...-Back-Door.pdf
so whats changed? The Republic has always been neutral
Except with regard to the British ...
They're neutral - we don't expect the Swiss to help out - and TBH I've had a lot more agro being English in Scotland & Wales than I've ever had Ireland North or South
Great story, but explain how it has anything to do with Ireland's neutrality and/or lack of combat air power.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Thread Starter
I believe the point being made is that Ireland is both unable, and unwilling, to secure the safety of NATO western approaches, including transatlantic cables and airspace, and with the increasing threat, the UK should be looking at relocating resources to Northern Ireland to do the job.
(We used to have the radar site at Bishops Court, but its coverage to the west was poor due to the intervening mountains of Mourne. I imagine you could stick a remote radar head on the top of them these days).
No available west coast ports and I would have thought LM was close enough as is required for QRA.
(We used to have the radar site at Bishops Court, but its coverage to the west was poor due to the intervening mountains of Mourne. I imagine you could stick a remote radar head on the top of them these days).
No available west coast ports and I would have thought LM was close enough as is required for QRA.
Unlike the Irish, the Swiss are not freeloading. They have modern, well-equipped forces for their own defence and often participate in NATO exercises.
As regards Ireland. they know that they're stuck out on the edge of Europe well away from the more hostile players, protected by an Ocean that has historically been sewn up pretty tight by NATO with Airspace protected by the UK gratis because it suits the UK purpose.
They don't need to protect themselves because someone else will do it for them.
It's because the Irish can get away with freeloading whilst the Swiss realise they need to protect themselves and coordinate with NATO as any European conflict will rapidly involve them regardless of whether the claim to be neutral or not.
As regards Ireland. they know that they're stuck out on the edge of Europe well away from the more hostile players, protected by an Ocean that has historically been sewn up pretty tight by NATO with Airspace protected by the UK gratis because it suits the UK purpose.
They don't need to protect themselves because someone else will do it for them.
As regards Ireland. they know that they're stuck out on the edge of Europe well away from the more hostile players, protected by an Ocean that has historically been sewn up pretty tight by NATO with Airspace protected by the UK gratis because it suits the UK purpose.
They don't need to protect themselves because someone else will do it for them.
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Who knows what threat Switzerland may face, the point is that they take responsibility for being able to defend and control their own airspace. I see no reason why the wealthy independent EU state of Ireland should not be expected to do the same.
Switzerland's policy is to actively defend its territory and neutrality from all threats. Eire, being an island on the edge of Europe, has a far less aggressive attitude towards its neutrality (vide its relationship with the UK), and faces a different threat. Like all nations, it matches it defence spending to the resources available and to the perceived threat. I do not think it is more complicated than that.
Had to step in? I thought the gist of it was at weekends, the Swiss had subcontracted the task out - presumably for a price.
Times have changed though
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/no-more...rvice/41889752
They are certainly capable of intercepting
https://www.expatica.com/ch/general/...irliner-57415/
Times have changed though
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/no-more...rvice/41889752
They are certainly capable of intercepting
https://www.expatica.com/ch/general/...irliner-57415/