Interesting articles

Do they even have the hard points on the wings?

Not a 100% no...

https://www.s-ge.com/en/article/news/20214-sensors-leica?ct

Some coverage of the Committee hearing today, its as if some of the TDs actually expect something to happen?

https://www.thejournal.ie/irish-defence-forces-action-plan-concerns-frustrations-6081437-May2023/?utm_source=shortlink

I mostly agree with you, but there are limitations (and lets not forget that the clock is starting to tick louder on how long this government has to do anything), I mean there are things that could be started that would have value and be "relatively" cheap like base improvements that might play a role in retention for example, nothing high end or complicated there. At the rate we are going what number are we going to be left with by the time any noticeable changes/investments start happening.

At the rate we are going I'm starting to look at the Commission just like the PWC report on the Navy in the 90's or even further back than that.

No, the entire process has moved glacially from the outset. CoDF first met in December 2020 having been flagged as part of Prog For govt earlier in 2020. Took contributions, having committed to reporting back by December 2021. Feb 2022 they eventually escaped the clutches of DoD and released their idiots guide to fixing defence where the Govt was given 3 options.

(a) SFA. (Not advised) Costs slightly more than currently.

(b) Bare minimum but ASAP. Cost €0.5bn more that current spending. (Still nowhere near NATO numbers)

(c) An Adequate force that can fulfil all current commitments, with ability to respond quickly to civil and military emergencies (including mention of the dreaded F&*%ter J*@£s). Cost €3bn, but still less than 2% of GDP.

Govt sat on this report from February to July.

They went with Option B, but ignored the ASAP bit, spread it out over 5 years, and created yet another committee to move forward on the least costly bits of option B, and report back in 6 months.

That was July last year. The "Immediate actions" at this point are only 80% complete.

Oh, I never mentioned Russia actually invaded a European state the same week the original report was released. Everyone else in Europe, whether NATO member or Neutral, all immediately decided to increase their defence budget dramatically. Sweden and Finland decided to give up neutrality completely and Join NATO.

Funny cos the CoDF process never mentioned it either. To be fair, it was written before the invasion, but still highlighted our immediate military weakness. We are still preparing our defence force for a Pre Feb 2022 world. Those responsible for implementing this seem to be ignoring the fact that since the release of the Plan:

Russia Invaded Ukraine, the West, including Ireland came to support Ukraine, both by providing military and humanitarian aid.

Before it did, Its Navy tried to hold a Missile launching exercise in the Irish EEZ.

It was behind a cyber attack on the HSE's IT system

We have at least 2 MEPs who have been compromised by Russia, and can no longer be trusted to operate in Ireland's best interests.

Russia sees us as supporting Ukraine and therefore Russia's enemy (even if we choose not to supply Ukraine with Military Aid-Everyone knows where those Green pajeros without the Alloy wheels came from)

Ireland again was unable to repatriate its citizens without the help of another nations Air Force, once the fighting escalated in Sudan.

The Strength of the Defence forces has reduced by 25% since 2013. Those needed most are the ones leaving first. The trainers, the leaders, the technicians.

CODF was the dinner menu. They spent more time colouring it in than they needed to but the contents were what we wanted to see. We all saw the starters, Main Course and dessert. All the neighbouring tables have been served, Some of the mains are already off the menu because others got there first. We are still asking the waiter for more bread sticks while we decide if we want soup or not. (PBP recons we will do fine if we just get a plate of side orders to share, and forgo starter, main and dessert. They have ordered the wine though.) We could have dined from the same menu for much cheaper on the early bird, but we are far too late for that now. Kitchen closes in an Hour.

The portal for public submissions on the forum is open if anyone wants to vent:

https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/1a35a-public-consultation-on-international-security-policy/

'Ireland is to consider ignoring NATO military assets in its territorial waters, airspace and EEZ as it solves a problem it cannot and does not want to address itself.'

Fixed the auld headline for you RTÉ.

A) We haven't got the crew for it

B) The Chief Constable is only ball hopping so his budget doesn't get cut so hard

C) Its embarrassing that a jurisdiction one third the size and population of the Republic has 50% more police helicopterage.

Is the point of the 105s just for training purposes as we have never brought them overseas. We have only ever broughy our mortarsand not field guns

Its just an upgrade to keep them working. The section about it is below

The Defence Forces have plans to acquire new ground based air defence radars and associated missile effector systems as recommended in the Defence Forces Commission report, while the upgrading of its 105mm light guns will future-proof the weapons out until 2035, he said

Fairly sure they have been used well by the Ukrainians, there have been videos of tagged 105s on social media, though what the survival rates were and whether it was just another "this is all we have so we have to use it" situations are other questions.

I have to say, can't think of anytime when defence has had so much attention by Irish Media, the IT has an article on RAF Lossiemouth and the coverage it gives us, one interesting bit in it is highlight that Atlantic Aviation Group has one of the engineering contracts for the RAF A400s.

https://www.irishtimes.com/world/uk/2023/06/03/raf-lossiemouth-the-british-military-airbase-that-protects-irish-skies/

At the very least I hope some awkward questions were asked, seems beyond a doubt that will be the only way anything might change.

Speaking of which:

https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/taoiseach-and-tanaiste-stress-need-for-cooperation-on-subsea-cables-1484343.html

Speaking of awkward questions, here's a new article from RUSI, pretty much everything we know in terms of our limitations, and the unwillingness to change, but interestingly the author suggests sources in Dublin saying an attempt was made to engage with France in relation to an air policing agreement. The French turned us down and told us to go talk to London, but still when was this floated? Given the distance was someone suggesting the French base here?

https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/irish-airspace-and-waters-remain-europes-open-flank

Not sure if thats more of a dig about our defence spending, or the inflated gdp in the first place?