Government signs new sonar contract to enhance maritime security amid Russian sub fears
The sonar, the first of its kind in Ireland, will be used for monitoring and surveillance in the subsea domain, enhancing maritime security.
It comes amid increased fears for the security of subsea communications and electricity and gas pipelines as Russian submarines and other clandestine vessels have been detected operating in Irish waters.
The new sonar capability will be used on Irish Naval vessels to monitor activities in the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and in the vicinity of subsea communication cables or gas pipelines.
Tanaiste Simon Harris said: 'This significant investment in sonar capability will provide the Naval Service with a state-of-the-art sonar system, which will enable them to build a picture of our subsea, thus contributing to the important task of protecting our critical underwater infrastructure.
'This is one of many strands of work being progressed to address the threats in our maritime domain.
'It will serve as an important first step in creating a 'pattern of life' in the subsea domain, with future projects further enhancing this capability.
'This investment will contribute to the Programme for Government commitment to focus on the protection of critical undersea.
'It also responds in part to the need identified in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, under Level of Ambition 2, for a number of maritime capabilities including the enhancement of sub-surface capabilities to monitor subsea cables.'
Mr Harris added: 'My department is also progressing the development of the country's first National Maritime Security Strategy and a public consultation on this new strategy will be launched in the coming days.'
Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy said it would enable Naval ships to monitor the subsurface space within the maritime area.
ADVERTISEMENT
He added: 'This capability will greatly enhance the Defence Forces' situational awareness across domains and is a welcome advancement in the continued development and transformation of the Oglaigh na hEireann.'
'While the Naval Service and Air Corps regularly monitor activity on Irish seas, this new acquisition will enhance awareness below the surface, contributing to the overall maritime picture available to Naval Service and the wider Defence Forces.
'An enhanced maritime picture is also important for detecting illegal activities such as illegal fishing, drug trafficking, terrorism and espionage.'
It is anticipated that this new capability will be available to the Naval Service in 2027.
The Government has said maritime security is a priority and has undertaken a number of initiatives including the Department of Defence taking the lead in the co-ordination and development of Ireland's first National Maritime Security Strategy.
It has also recently approved the Defence Forces' participation in the Common Information Sharing Environment, an EU initiative which enables structured and secure information-sharing among EU maritime authorities, both civil and military, allowing for more effective operations at sea amid new and evolving maritime threats.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Russia hands its own dead soldiers to Ukraine in sick move during body swap as Vlad's best pal frees prisoners for Trump
RUSSIA handed over 20 bodies it claimed were Ukrainian defenders - but they were actually its own dead troops, says Zelensky. It comes as 7 20 'Ukrainian' bodies recently handed over by Russia have in fact been Russian, says Zelensky Credit: EPA 7 Some of the bodies even have Russian passports on them Credit: x/Volodymyr Zelenskyy 7 Russian prisoners of war on a bus in Belarus Credit: Getty Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed Russia's grim body-swap blunder on Saturday, as He said: "They (Russia) told us these were only Ukrainians and only service members. "But that's a lie, now documented. In some cases, these bodies even have Russian passports on them. "They can't even check who they're sending. We certainly want all of our warriors and the bodies of our heroes back. Read more world news "But we definitely do not want Russians being handed over simply for the sake of quantity." Russia and Ukraine exchanged at least 1,200 prisoners of war over a week ago after the second round of direct talks in Istanbul. Meanwhile, Sergei Tikhanovsky, a prominent Belarusian opposition leader, was freed from jail along with 13 other political prisoners on Saturday. His release came after US special envoy Keith Kellogg met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in the country's capital, Minsk. Most read in The US Sun Svetlana Tikhanovskaya - Tikhanovsky's wife and also a Belarusian opposition politician - publicly thanked Donald Trump, Kellogg and "all European allies" for securing her husband's release. Lukashenko's press secretary said the prisoners were freed at Trump's request. Vladimir Putin rages 'all of Ukraine is ours' as he threatens to seize key city while Kyiv slams tyrant as 'deranged' Tikhanovskaya wrote on X: "My husband … is free! It's hard to describe the joy in my heart." She added: "We're not done. 1150 political prisoners remain behind bars. All must be released." Five Belarusian nationals, along with Japanese, Polish and Swedish citizens, were also released, according to Tikhanovskaya's office. The Lithuanian foreign minister said on X that the 14 political prisoners were receiving care in Lithuania. Tikhanovsky was jailed for 18 years in 2021. 7 The moment Russian strikes shatter residential buildings in Kharkiv, injuring 13 including two children on June 5 Credit: East2West 7 Ukrainian soldiers fire a Grad multiple rocket launcher towards Russian positions in Donetsk on June 3 Credit: AP 7 Russian soldiers fire drones in Lyman on April 24 Credit: Getty His wife ran in his place and claimed victory - but fled into exile with their kids the day after. Many Belarusians believe the 2020 election was rigged by Lukashenko's regime to keep him in power - a position he's held since 1994. Hundreds of thousands of Belarusians have fled their homeland since the brutal crackdown on opposition protests in 2020. Belarus has faced heavy Western sanctions for its brutal crackdown and backing Russia's war - including allowing Russian troops to use its land and hosting tactical nukes. Tens of thousands have been arrested in Belarus for political reasons over the past five years, says rights group Viasna. It comes as Vladimir Putin and The signing followed an amendment in Russia's nuclear doctrine, which for the first time placed Belarus under the Russian nuclear umbrella. It effectively gives Lukashenko control over the potential use of Russian tactical Putin said in a televised remark: "I'm sure that the treaty will ensure the security of Russia and Belarus." After the two leaders signed the pact , Lukashenko asked Putin to deploy the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) that 7 Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Gerry Hutch will ‘have to testify' & take the stand if alleged money laundering case proceeds, Spanish courts insist
GERRY 'The Monk' Hutch must take the stand in court if the case against him proceeds — Spanish authorities have told us. The 62-year-old Dubliner remains under investigation for alleged money laundering offences but he has yet to reappear in a Lanzarote court since Advertisement 4 Gerry Hutch is likely to appear in court in Spain Credit: Gary Ashe 4 The probe is centred on the alleged use of cash from criminal activities to buy properties and vehicles Credit: JUAN MATEOS 4 It is also assisted by the Gardai by sharing information and evidence Credit: PA:Press Association There was a series of raids in Advertisement Spanish authorities branded Hutch as 'an alleged leader of an international gang of criminals' and he was held in He was granted bail of €100,000 and returned to Ireland ahead of his bid for a Dail seat in In an update given to They told us: 'Mr Hutch is still under investigation. He has not reappeared at this time. 'If the case goes forward and is not dismissed, he will have to testify at the Advertisement We also understand that Hutch is 'likely' to be summoned to appear to testify in any preliminary investigation phase hearing if it is scheduled. The Spanish-led probe is centred on the Hutch Organised Crime Group's alleged use of cash from criminal activities to buy properties and vehicles in The investigation — which saw eight others also lifted — has been ongoing for more than two years, with Gerry Hutch returns to Ireland to make run for Dail official After the arrests, authorities in Spain said: 'They are being probed as alleged perpetrators of money laundering crimes committed within a criminal organisation.' In an interview last year, Hutch claimed the probe was being orchestrated by the Gardai to prevent him standing in the election. Advertisement He denied any wrongdoing when he returned back to BACK HOME FOR DAIL RUN Hutch ran for a Irish director The My Left Foot director was following Hutch with a camera crew as part of a documentary he is making about the election and the gang boss. 'If the case goes forward and is not dismissed, he will have to testify at the trial hearing if one is scheduled. The probe is ongoing, and its contents are not public.' Spokesman for the Canary Islands' High Court of Justice Speaking at the count centre in the Advertisement He said: 'I was thinking of just doing a small documentary about the election – that's all. I never thought he'd get in or have a chance.' RAGS TO RICHES & FAME GERRY 'The Monk' Hutch could soon become a Netflix star if Jim Sheridan gets his way. A trailer on the life story of the gangster, made by the award-winning producer and director, was sent to the global network for consideration earlier this year. Both Netflix and Sky have indicated to Sheridan they are interested in The Monk's rags-to-riches life story. The director has made a trailer on the proposed real-life story and it is being sent to them. Earlier this year a source told us: 'Gerry gave Jim his full co-operation and has given him several hours of taped interviews. Some of the stuff he spoke about is incredible. 'However, some clips may have to be refilmed because they are now outdated and have been overtaken by (recent) events. 'There will be huge public interest in his story and what he has to say. 'Both Netflix and Sky are now considering it.' Asked why he thinks people backed The Monk at the polls, Jim said: 'I just think it is anger at their position. Years and years of drugs and nothing happening in that community. 'Like some people are trying to help but there has never been, like since Tony Gregory, a cohesive attitude towards it or a focused attitude. 'Sheriff Street, I think that was the one thing they got wrong because it's like a blocked artery down there. 'It's crazy and it's in the shadow of all these IFSC and it's not really a real community. It's just one street now and you would just wish that something good was developed for it.' Advertisement DPP DECISION TO COME Hutch refused to rule out running for public office again after failing in his attempt to win a Dail seat last year. He has since continued to live between Ireland and Lanzarote. Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions is weighing up organised crime charges against him here in Ireland. Hutch walked free from the Special Criminal Court in April 2023, left, after he was acquitted of murdering the 34-year-old 4 Hutch ran for a Dail seat last year and just fell short in Dublin Central Credit: Reuters Advertisement
RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Government concerned UNIFIL's Lebanon mandate won't be renewed
There is mounting concern in Government that the United Nation's peacekeeping operation in southern Lebanon may not have its mandate renewed in August. Ireland has participated in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) since 1978. Ireland has an unbroken record with UNIFIL and currently has more than 340 troops stationed in southern Lebanon. Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has begun to contact other EU member states about the issue. He is due to raise it again when he travels to Brussels tomorrow for a Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Monday. The UN will review UNIFIL in August, amid concerns that the United States could withdraw financial backing for the operation. Israel has also been highly critical of the force. The Tánaiste has already discussed options relating to the future of UNIFIL with the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces Lt Gen Rossa Mulcahy. It is understood Mr Harris will seek to impress upon his EU counterparts on the absolute need for the mission to continue, in order to ensure stability and peace in the region. It is expected that France will lead the campaign to extend UNIFIL's mandate when it comes to a vote in August. On 28 August last year, the UN Security Council unanimously passed resolution 2749 extending UNIFIL's mission for 12 months. However, the upcoming talks will be the first since the cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah, which has a strong base in southern Lebanon, and Israel. It is also expected that the Lebanese government will strongly support the renewal of the mandate. The Cabinet backed the Irish Defence Forces' continued participation in UNIFIL last month. In New York, Israel is said to be lobbying at the UN headquarters for a downgrade of the role of UNIFIL. The Trump administration is viewed as being sympathetic to that argument, but it is currently unclear what position it will adopt in August. Last month, Irish soldiers who are serving as peacekeepers in southern Lebanon came under fire near Israel's blueline, while on a joint patrol with the Lebanese Armed Forces. The UNIFIL Force Commander conveyed the Government's anger and concern at the shooting incident directly to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). Mr Harris condemned the incident at the time and said it was an "utterly inappropriate, utterly unacceptable" attack on Irish peacekeeping troops in southern Lebanon. "This is the latest in a range of what I view as intimidatory behaviour by the IDF [Israel Defence Forces] towards peacekeepers, or as we saw recently, Irish diplomats too. So this is not acceptable," Mr Harris said. The incident took place close to the village of Yaroun and the patrol withdrew from the area when it occurred. No injuries to personnel on the patrol were reported and no damage reported to the armoured vehicles they were operating from. The location was roughly 10km from the main Irish military base in Lebanon, known as 2-45 or Camp Shamrock. It was also 5km from an Irish base on the Blue Line, called 6-52. Also last month, in south Lebanon.
