The Republic of Ireland is contemplating the possibility of becoming part of a proposed global missile defence system known colloquially as “a European Iron Dome”. This is included in plans currently under consideration by officials.
The European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), established by Germany in 2022 in response to impactful long-range Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian structural facilities, aims to vastly enhance the air and missile protection of European nations. It was recently compared to Israel’s Iron Dome, a cutting-edge anti-missile defence system, by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The ESSI will facilitate collective procurement of advanced air defence systems among participating nations and ensure their coordinated employment.
The idea of Ireland becoming part of the ESSI is just one of the alternatives under discussion by a synergistic team of civilian and military Irish defence strategists. This is among several suggestions aimed at significantly boosting Ireland’s currently minimal air defence capacities.
The Irish Defence Forces maintain various antiquated ground-to-air missile units and anti-aircraft guns, which are of limited use against present-day threats. A notable lack in the country’s arsenal is a primary radar system capable of identifying airborne threats.
While this group’s work is in its infancy, sources have indicated that the primary focus rests on procuring a military radar system rather than entering into any international air defence arrangement. Nonetheless, joining the ESSI is an option under consideration for long-term planning, according to sources.
Officials from the Irish Defence Department are examining a variety of European innovations in relation to air and missile defences while prioritising the improvement of Ireland’s abilities in this area, as per a department representative.
Ireland is yet to receive an invitation to join the initiative. Should such an invitation be extended, it will be thoroughly reviewed in light of the country’s national policy in this regard, the department asserts.
However, should Ireland decide to join the ESSI, it could potentially spark a heated debate, given Ireland’s stance of “military neutrality”, rooted in non-membership of collective defence entities such as NATO.
Reports indicate that Switzerland and Malta, two nations known for their neutrality, have just become participants in the ESSI. The purpose of this system is fundamentally protective. Nevertheless, the authority to employ the system will stay within the jurisdiction of the respective national governments.