Minister adds to confusion on timeline for counter-drone defences

Last December, four sophisticated drones were spotted by an Irish navy vessel on the flight path that the plane carrying the Ukrainian president, Volodomyr Zelenskyy, had just passed through on the way to Dublin Airport. File picture: Larry Cummins

There was renewed confusion on Thursday regarding whether or not the Defence Forces would have counter-drone technology before Ireland assumes the EU presidency in July when defence minister Helen McEntee confirmed it would not arrive until September.

Two weeks ago, the Irish Examiner reported that the updated implementation plan for the Commission on Defence Forces stated that the counter-drone technology would not be in place until September.

This was despite repeated statements by the Government that the Defence Forces (DF) would have it before July.

Asked by the Irish Examiner this week for clarity, Government sources said the DF would have the equipment — and personnel trained — before July.

At the Oireachtas Committee on Defence and National Security, replying to Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, Ms McEntee stated: “The timeline for the Defence Forces’ counter drone capability is September.” 

Mr Ó Laoghaire told the minister that Oireachtas members had received “assurances” that the technology would be in place before the presidency. He said there was an “awful lot of tensions” across Europe on this issue and that heads of state will be arriving into Ireland from July.

Ms McEntee said gardaí already have “significant” counter-drone technology. She confirmed that the Defence Forces airport at Baldonnel will be used by some heads of state but that most will arrive through Dublin Airport, which she said was the responsibility of gardaí.

Last December, four sophisticated drones were spotted by an Irish navy vessel on the flight path that the plane carrying the Ukrainian president, Volodomyr Zelenskyy, had just passed through on the way to Dublin Airport. The navy ship had no counter-drone technology to disable the drones.

Labour TD Duncan Smith told the minister that Air Traffic Control at Dublin Airport was never informed of drone activity.

Ms McEntee said that An Garda Síochána, Air Traffic Control and the Defence Forces “have been doing a review of essentially what happened”. She said the agencies were looking at communication and responses and if improvements need to be made.

Co-operation with other countries

Senator Gerard Craughwell congratulated the minister on the publication on Wednesday of the National Maritime Security Strategy 2026-30 but questioned the “constant mantra” from the Government about co-operation with other countries, not least in assisting Ireland for the EU presidency.

He sought details as to whether or not French or British military would be able to use force in Irish waters. “We are not at that stage,” Ms McEntee said. “We are at the stage where we are exploring what may or may not be possible.” 

Mr Craughwell expressed exasperation that discussions were only at this stage, given the presidency was only four months away.

Ms McEntee told Deputy Ó Laoghaire that the projected strength of the Naval Service was just under 1,100 by 2028, which the Cork Central TD said was what the existing establishment strength was and 700 short of the 1,794 recommended in the Commission on the Defence Forces.