Ireland contributes Defence Forces vehicles and de-mining robots to the Ukrainian army
The 34 vehicles include two Ford Transits, three Mercedes ambulances, five Scania 8x8 DROPS Trucks, eight Ford Transit 15-seater minibuses, and 16 Double Cab Ford Rangers. File photo
Irish experts on Eastern Europe have welcomed the Government’s supply of 34 Defence Forces vehicles and three de-mining robots to the Ukrainian army.
Tánaiste Simon Harris, who is also defence and foreign affairs minister, said the donation was a “further indication of Ireland’s steadfast support” for Ukraine and that it continued Ireland’s provision of “non-lethal aid” to the country.
The Russian Embassy in Dublin said the supply of military equipment was more evidence of Ireland’s “direct involvement” in the conflict and that it made “a mockery” of Ireland’s policy of military neutrality.
Operation Carousel 3, led by the Defence Forces Transport Corps, facilitated the safe arrival of the 34 vehicles at the International Donor Coordination Cell in Rzeszów, Poland, as part of Ireland’s European Peace Facility contribution.
The convoy also carried three Reacher Robots, which will be donated to the De-mining Coalition in which Ireland is a participant.
The 34 vehicles include two Ford Transits, three Mercedes ambulances, five Scania 8x8 DROPS Trucks, eight Ford Transit 15-seater minibuses, and 16 Double Cab Ford Rangers.
Professor Donnacha Ó Beacháin, School of Law and Government at Dublin City University, said the donations, while modest, were welcome: “The ambulances and transport vehicles will strengthen Ukraine’s mobility, medical evacuation, and logistics, which are all critical to sustaining frontline operations.
“The de-mining robots are particularly valuable, given Russia’s widespread use of mines. While obviously not a game-changer, these kinds of contributions matter because wars are not won by heavy weapons alone but by the support systems that keep an army moving and soldiers alive.”
Conor Daly, teaching fellow at the Department of Russian and Slavonic Studies at Trinity College, said: “The area of Ukraine currently affected by mines and unexploded ordnance is nearly twice the size of the island of Ireland.
"Ireland's donation of vehicles might appear modest in material terms, but it will add significantly to the capability of the Ramstein Group's De-mining Capability Coalition, of which Ireland is a member. The symbolic support is even more valuable: Ireland has stepped up to the plate as one of 50 nations actively contributing to Ukraine's ability to defend itself and remain a free and independent state.”
Prof. Ó Beacháin, whose recent book on Russia, , was published this summer, said the bigger challenge for Ukraine was to repel Russia’s intensifying drone and missile campaign, which required air defence and jamming technology.
He said: “Ireland must keep finding ways to show support for Ukraine. Committing more to EU-level initiatives such as the European Peace Facility would be particularly valuable.”
Mr Daly said Ukrainian military analysts want Nato forces to pool their anti-drone capabilities with those of Ukraine so as to create a "no-fly zone" over Ukraine.
He said: "One proposal is to deploy Polish radars and drone interceptors right along Ukraine's border with Russia in the Sumy region. As well as protecting Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, this measure would stop stray drones from penetrating into Polish, Romanian and other Nato airspace."
