Richard Bruton
Question:102. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will outline the implications of the ongoing war in Ukraine for Ireland’s security and defence. [29560/23]
View answerTuesday, 20 June 2023
Questions (102)
Written answers
The European Security and Defence landscape has been redefined by Russia’s appalling and illegal military aggression against Ukraine over the past eighteen months, with the focus very much on the continued provision of EU support to Ukraine and bolstering the defence capabilities of the EU, while acknowledging the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain Member States.
Shortly after the invasion, EU Leaders adopted the Strategic Compass, which is aimed at ensuring that the EU becomes a stronger and more capable actor in security and defence, both to protect the security of its citizens and to act in crisis situations that affect the EU’s values and interests.
The implications of the ongoing war are reflected in a significant increase in investment in defence expenditure across Europe as well as the decision by Finland and Sweden to join NATO. At home, the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces and the current events in Ukraine are prompting an open debate and consideration of our own defence requirements.
Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine has also caused structural changes in the market in which the Defence Industry operates contributing to significantly increased global demand for specific defence products, notably ammunition and missiles, resulting in a discrepancy between production capacity and demand. The timely availability in sufficient volumes of these products is critical for the EU’s security and for its continuous efforts to support Ukraine. Ireland is no different in this respect.
The war on Ukraine has also seen the unprecedented mobilisation of the European Peace Facility (EPF). Ireland has been very supportive of the military assistance provided to the Ukrainian Armed Forces under the European Peace Facility. Our total expected contribution to direct Assistance Measures under the EPF to further support the UAF currently stands at approximately €122 million exclusively for non-lethal support. In line with the commitments in our Programme for Government, Ireland’s contribution is directed exclusively toward non-lethal support.
From the outset, Ireland was a strong supporter of the establishment of an EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine and following the Government approval to participate earlier this year, the Defence Forces have been engaged in the identification of suitable training modules that the Defence Forces could deliver, responding to the identified needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Members of the Defence Forces contributed to the delivery of a course in Demining and Clearance to the UAF in Cyprus last month and the Defence Forces are due to contribute to the delivery of a Combat Life Saver (CLS) course in Germany later this month.
Meanwhile, the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence are continuing to consider other training modules to which the DF may be in a position to contribute. It is likely that further training modules will be identified and delivered in the coming months.
Last year, and against the backdrop of developments in Ukraine, Government approval was given for a move to 'Level of Ambition 2' (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. This will result in the Defence budget rising from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028, the largest increase in Defence funding in the history of the State. This will allow for the required substantial transformation and investment in recruitment and equipment that were identified by the Commission.
There is an ongoing requirement to consider whether the capabilities we maintain are appropriate, having regard to the security environment particularly now given the ongoing war in Ukraine. The heightened risk to undersea cables in the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone for example is one area that has come under close scrutiny since the outbreak of war in Europe. This consideration of military capabilities and an updated security environment assessment will form part of the Strategic Defence Review which has been commenced by my Department.