Government signs new sonar contract to enhance maritime security amid Russian sub fears
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.
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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.
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