Why Ireland is Boosting Its Military Spending

At first glance, Ireland might appear to be relatively immune from the wider European conversation on increasing defence spending. But nonetheless it appears in a vulnerable position. In this video, we're taking a look at Ireland's military, why it's considered to be a 'weak link' in Europe, and how this might change.

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00:00 - Introduction
01:24 - Triple Lock
03:51 - Irish Defence Forces
06:08 - Plans
07:34 - Sponsored Content

[owensilvant]

Ireland not having sonar or radar is ridiculous, they are an island, one of the easiest places to detect incoming attacks from, but have no capabilities to do so.

[JeffBilkins]

Even Belgium has a few frigates and fighter jets to put up and they have a tiny coastline and no open ocean to defend.

[NikodemHild]

0:30 "potential target of cyber attacks"
The HSE (Publich health service) was attacked for ransome in 2022, estimating €102 million
They have refused to pay it ever since

[cormacmacaongusa]

Not having radar and sonar is indefensible

[SilentEire]

Irish person here - we’re very aware of how unrequited we are. The only reason this is the case is bc the UK was always our backstop for defence, something I always found very strange and ironic. I’m glad the government is spending more to boost our defence. Just bc we’re small, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have defence capabilities, especially as an island

[vincentmahon]

Insightful and balanced reporting. I appreciate the use of graphics and statistics.

Protection is needed, primarily, at sea. Bear in mind this area may increase if the people of Northern Ireland vote to join the Republic of Ireland.

Protection is required for:
1. Fishing rights.
2. Mineral rights.
3. Corrib gas field.
4. Combat people traffickers.
5. Combat submarine drug supplies.
6. Protect offshore wind farms.
7. Protect undersea data cables.
8. Protect undersea electricity supply cables.
9. Protect undersea carbon / natural gas supply pipelines.

Our ass is really, really hanging out the window at the moment and for the foreseeable future.

[AlanMartin-jb]

Want to thank Ireland for all the service the British had from your young men in the two world wars . Particularly WW2 as you were neutral and yet still quite a lot of men came though they didn't have to . Much respect !

[Kevc]

I think it also important to note that the Level of Ambition 2 outlined in the Defence Forces Commission Report was stated to be short term measures to plug major gaps in defence and should be easily achievable in 1-2 years. The government decided to take 6 years to do so instead of the 1-2 recommended by the report and at the current trajectory won't even actually achieve it until at least 2030 if not later.

[eoghan]

For people who don’t know, the economy of Ireland is extremely inflated and doesn’t represent the actual spending power Ireland has.

[SoulDuckling]

Seeing a country which is famous for small military trying to increase their strength speaks volumes to the current geopolitical situation. Europe has never been more united but also exposed since the end of the cold war.

[eoinj]

Ireland has 7500 military personnel and over 8000 staff in the revenue service. We put more effort into taxing our citizens than defending them!

[iGleeson]

A well-deserved, scathing criticism of my country's defence capabilities.

[talideon]

The irony of Ireland not having submarines is that they were invented by an Irishman.

[xXIiIUnamedIiIXx]

0:22 ''whith whom (UK) they (IE) have a lot of troubled history''. Unintentionally a great pun. 🤣🤣

[ScuffTuff]

Ireland could probably fill its exact needs within its budget by talking to Norway and Canada about offshore patrol ships. The two countries use related models and building an extra 3-4 to sell to Ireland would make a lot of sense. They’re not too big while still having all the capabilities the Irish Naval Service would likely require including radar and sonar for advanced surveillance and surface to air missile systems for air defence. These ships also include a hangar and flight deck capable of servicing CH-148 Cyclone or cheaper NHIndustries NH90 helicopters for further surveillance and anti-submarine capabilities.

[markgormley]

You love a good video on Ireland - Always gets good views. I appreciate them

[GeorgeWilkie-xg]

🇺🇲 🇮🇹 From a Yank combat Veteran (US Army 82nd Airborne Division), BRAVO!, Republic Of Ireland! During my service in the US Military, I was under the Command of an Irish born Captain (Company Commander), and he was an Outstanding Officer. His Troops would walk through a Wall for him. Our Captain was immensely Brave, Tough, and extremely knowledgeable of advanced small unit combat Tactics! He was also a damn nice Guy. He was born in Cork, Republic Of Ireland. Then, later in my Military service, I had an Irish born Sergeant Major. This is the highest rank an enlisted Man or Woman can achieve. And, I'll be damned if this great Sergeant Major didn't have the exact outstanding qualities as my former Captain. I learned quite a bit about the History of Ireland's military history. From the Irish Warriors who fought for Ireland's first High King, Brian Boru, to the all Irish Brigade that was instrumental in Wellington's defeat of Napoleon. Later, Duke Wellington supported the Irish Catholics before the Parliament. Wellington helped in getting the "Irish Catholic Emancipation Act" passed into Law. Wellington loved his all Irish Brigade. They were among his most Elite Troops. Wellington said that, as he pined Medals for Bravery on his outstanding Irish Soldiers chests, he was ashamed to look them in theirs eyes due to the harshness of England's occupation of Ireland. Wellington's address to the Parliament was instrumental in getting this Act passed into Law. Throughout history, the Irish Soldier has Always received the highest of praise. So, I, as a Gaelic loving Yank, am overjoyed to see Ireland's Military growing bigger, and stronger. I send my sharpest American Airborne (Paratrooper) Salute to my Galant Irish Military Brothers and Sisters... GOD BLESS IRELAND! 🇺🇲 🇮🇹

[drunknLeprechaun]

We may be a nation with Neutrality but we have for 100's of years fought in most nations wars never rule us out

[monarchist]

Ireland has lost many promising young men to the British Armed Forces. I'm a reservist. A lad in my unit was originally from County Kerry and is a veteran of the Irish Defence Forces. He said the opportunities, training, benefits, and morale have plummeted. In basic, we had guys from both the North and the Republic. One of my staff sergeants himself is a descendant of a member of the Irish Volunteers from the Easter Rising. When deployed in Cyprus, I served alongside several regulars from the Irish Republic. One guy in my section is from Dublin. I asked why he didn't join the Irish Army, and he said if a young Irishman or woman wants a promising military career, they must look outside of Ireland.

[Абдулло-щеэ]

US abandoning Europe is going to be a benefit in the long run. Either that or a unified Europe was never meant to be.