Ireland - lack of air and naval defence.

The Ukrainians are asking for them as they have no navy, a relatively short coastline now and are at risk of an amphibious attack (though not likely). Sweden, Finland and the rest of the Baltics have them because of the enclosed nature of the Baltic sea and the Russians, however for example non of the Western European nations have land based ASM's still in service, the UK is likely going to have to strip the reserves of the decommissioned 23's and bash a truck mounting for them together.

Our equipment was beyond antiquated when it was finally retired and given the threat profiles we face it's not the first or hundred and first thing we should look at. Hell with the performance of Russia so far if they were ordered to attack us they could easily end up attacking Iceland. Land based systems and the hardware to use them would first require the ability to defend our airspace and operate with supporting capabilities. We don't even have the start of that.

The strike missile in a CDA, or land strike role, would be used against an attacking target in a surface to surface, or air to surface mode. Major Defensive systems which abound, are tasked with dealing with incoming long range missiles. In the Kongsberg configuration the unit is on a mobile platform and consists of 4 firing units and a command unit hooked into a surveillance command system. The missiles are 0.9mach with a range up to 300nm. An Arty mobile system would have a projectile speed of up to 2.5mach but a short range, maybe 20 miles. Both the EU and NATO have programmes for Missile Defence and Strike Missiles.

He's said much the same to Ógra FF a couple of weeks ago, setting the ground for maybe a variant of LoA2 in June?

There was significant blind spots in the National Government at the time of the Treaty Talks, it’s only that the RAF weren’t represented at the talks that we didn’t have them permanently stationed here, as from the released documents while the Government (both the Dev wing and the Collins wing) had issues with the Treaty Ports there was no such concern about an airbase. And of course technically the U.K. had the right to ask for airbases for the Ports but never did.

The GHQ of the day had “ambitions” but they were far beyond what the state could afford at the time, and certainly after the Civil War, after which the Government never supported huge spending on the DF anyway.

The UK have a fully equipped frigate with latest AD missile system patrolling UK waters and I believe a CAP on known routes. They have the luxury of a shared ATC/Surveillance with the Civil side. We have Mount Gabriel and Eagle Island but no defence screens. Pity we let P31's 31,400 sq. mile surveillance capability die of neglect (Pi times 100nm squared). If the UK are making provisions for RU testing, we need to wake up.

You are leaving out of course the fact that the US is providing the Ukrainians the intel needed to target and exploit the weaknesses of the Moskva. You are also ignoring the fact that the only maritime powers that could threaten us are Western ones without the massive issues of the Russians.

All of that and use of Intel or eyeballs is inconsequential to our problems. Specialist Irish Services which are equipment specific such as the Navy and Air Corps have been weaned away from frontline capabilities by an ongoing phase of equipment churning which removed fighting ships and aircraft in favour of miscellaneous patrol and ferry duties, good on optics and ok for housekeeping, ATCP and ATCA but no Defence Capability.

We can joke and see no enemy and follow the CS view of more Garda and less soldiers and sailors. Policy is where we are at.

Superb lookin ship. Ticks all the boxes. Just the ticket to send out if Jonny Russian comes prowlin around again. Hope we can get this one past the bean counters.

Crewing has to be designed around full Action stations and the Duration of a particular action or Stand-To. This enables a ship to handle the balance of positions manned 24/7 and sleeping and feeding. Action messing is take away soup and sandwiches.

The ship in question covers the full range of capabilities needed and is available in a 115m version also. If we want to be meaningful we have to aspire to ships of this type.

Don't know why I mentioned Eagle island. I needed to look at a NOTAM map which shows Nine radar points from Malin area in the North to Mount Gabriel in the South. It includes East and South Coast coverage. There are 4 on the West coast. There is a Bn near Achill Island as there are also on the Aran islands off Galway.

Isn't there someone working on a IVF for Korea.

Get you new knickers from Pennies as you will probably have filled your old ones with ManUre.

The PDF was designed to be where it is by the CS to balance the Books once Pay rates, allowances, and ration Structures were change by the Remuneration and conditions i.e. reduce Establishment by 5000 all ranks. They also got rid of much real estate.

I listened to Patrick Sanders C.I.G.S. maiden speech this morning and it's theme is to MOBILISE and STRENGTHEN alongside their Allies in NATO /EU area with less dependence on US support the latter looking to defence in the Pacific area. He is starting NOW and sees budgetary figures in the order of 41Bn Sterling.

A remarkable thing about his speech is that he appears to be also directing the Defence Civil Servants to meet immediate mobilisation factors. The immediate job is restocking and replacing munitions and equipment given away to Ukraine. He also wants to use a best in theatre list of effective equipment and stock up from those weapon systems. We are starting with a clean sheet whereby the Navy and Air Corps need to be restarted and tactically re-based as required. We first must get a clear indication of Armed levels to be achieved and do so on a short scale of less than 3 years. We must work with other Forces to ensure in an EU sense we fit into an Order of Battle.

A brief list should include CDA GM system range 300nm, Fighter Aircraft, MPA's, embedded SHORADS for the Army, Upgrading ATGM systems, Surveillance Systems, Drone weapon delivery systems, UP Arming Naval vessels and acquiring suitable multi role vessels for AS, AD, and ASW duties. Aspire to use of conventional AIP submarines, the ultimate offensive weapon, and develop a minelaying and clearance capability. Harness Irish Industry to assist in weapon manufacture under licence or home produced.

And it’s fantasy fleet time again.

The Defence/Offence scene at sea is being carried out by no one country on solo missions. The Nato alliance have just complete Operation" Dynamic Mongoose" off the western Seaboard hunting 3 enemy submarines provided for the purpose, 2 conventional Subs and one Nuclear sub. They used half a dozen surface Frigates, with Helicopters and more than a dozen MPA flights. The RN Type 23 Frigates with updates can work seamlessly with the Poseidon MPA and obviously the other participants also. If we are to fit in to common enterprise then we must progress to fitting into actual Naval Tasks and try to be relevant to the Defence of Europe.

An ARW Type exercise was carried out off the coast of Devon where Commando units were Helicasted from a number of Sea Stallions with their attack craft to carry out a simulated attack ashore.

All countries are busy training and getting ready we are busy over the years unpicking skills, re-equipping by expedience, side-lining skills that are technically difficult or socially demanding. We may be facing more loss of property and training areas and a reduction in choices and flexibility. The only clear way forward is a clear Defence Plan to fit into European defence tasks now that Uk is no longer an EU member,

It is and likely to be longer tbh, but don’t let that get in the way of a rant. We know the broad figures now for the next budget, we know the talk has been about LoA2(+?) and we know it’s not going to be done in a single year.