Ireland's anti-drone technology lacks the ability to "blow drones out of the sky," according to recent reports, raising concerns just days before the nation assumes the presidency of the European Council. This comes amid warnings from European Union officials about Ireland's preparedness for potential security threats, particularly from high-tech Russian drones.
Dr. Eoin Drea, a senior researcher at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies in Brussels, expressed significant concern in Brussels regarding Ireland's readiness to handle security issues during its presidency, specifically highlighting an "inability to detect and destroy incoming UAV incursions." Drea noted that the Defence Forces' training exercises, which involve mounting machine guns on helicopters to counter drone threats, underscore the "very limited nature of our capabilities."
Last year, the Defence Forces acquired counter-drone equipment from France, intended for deployment at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel. However, Department of Defence officials previously admitted that the €17 million Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) system has substantial "shortcomings." Sources indicate the system lacks "hard kill effectors" capable of destroying drones mid-air. Instead, it relies on "soft kill effectors" such as drone net interceptors, radio frequency jammers, and handheld jammer guns.
The C-UAS system can only be deployed to one location at a time, meaning critical sites like Dublin Airport and Baldonnel cannot be simultaneously protected. While the capability can be deployed to other key installations upon request, it provides full protection to only one location at any given moment.
An agreement for the French-designed anti-drone system was finalized in October, two months before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's plane was reportedly shadowed by drones approaching Dublin Airport. Officials confirmed the system does not include a "kinetic effector gun" and therefore lacks the ability to shoot down unidentified drones.
Ireland currently does not possess its own military radar detection or air defense capability. In preparation for the presidency, Gardaí have acquired small-scale, short-range counter-drone equipment and have undergone training. Air Corps helicopter crews have been practicing drone interception techniques using machine guns on their aircraft, and PC-9 aircraft have also been involved in training, though their use is limited.
For maritime and aerial security during the presidency, Ireland will reportedly rely on the French Navy to patrol its seas and the British Royal Air Force to police its skies. However, legal experts have raised concerns that seeking support from foreign military powers could contravene the Irish Constitution.
Dr. Drea suggested that Ireland's defense deficiencies and international criticism have led to "ill-considered agreements with France," potentially giving France significant influence over Ireland's capital investment plans related to defense equipment. He also stated that such dependence on France may alienate Britain, a traditional security partner that has provided free air defense to Ireland for over 50 years.
Security analyst and former Army Ranger Cathal Berry commented on the constitutional implications, noting that "every military entity must be raised and maintained by the Oireachtas." He criticized the situation, calling it an "astonishing indictment of the neglect of military issues" that this is being raised so close to the EU presidency, especially after 13 years to prepare. Berry questioned the chain of command for authorizing foreign forces to engage a drone over Irish territory.
Former attorney general and independent senator Michael McDowell warned in November that stationing foreign troops or operating foreign military vessels off the coast under command of another EU nation could be unconstitutional, citing articles of the Constitution that grant the Oireachtas the sole right to maintain military forces.
The Department of Defence stated that extensive planning has occurred, including the acquisition of specialist capabilities to assist both An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. A Defence Forces Joint Task Force will coordinate support operations during the EU presidency. When asked about the system's ability to shoot down drones, a spokesperson cited operational security reasons for not elaborating on specific capabilities but reiterated that personnel have been trained to ensure deployment by the start of the presidency.
IMAGE1: A screenshot from the video shows a gunner taking aim at a small unmanned plane from a helicopter.
IMAGE5: The target was identified as a small unmanned aircraft during training exercises.
IMAGE4: Bullets are seen striking the drone target off the coast of Meath.
IMAGE2: An Irish Air Corps helicopter is shown locking onto its target during a training exercise.
IMAGE3: The helicopter prepares to land following a successful training mission.
