Approximately €12 million from Ireland will contribute to a €1 billion effort spearheaded by the European Union, designed to restock the diminished missile and munition reserves of member states, particularly depleted due to the Ukraine conflict. The Act in Support of Ammunition Production (Asap), penned last year, was an urgent measure implemented to accelerate munitions manufacture in Europe by providing incentives to weapons manufacturers. This legislation aims to replenish the weapon stores of EU countries that have given substantial amounts of military resources to assist Ukraine in its defensive efforts against Russia.
In accordance with this two-year strategy, €500 million will be redirected from the EU budget to provide incentives for weapon firms to increase output. An additional €500 million will come from voluntary contributions from member countries. The Department of Defence has described Asap as a short-term solution intending to bolster the production capability of defence in the EU. This is achieved by offering a one-time grant to boost production speed.
Irish authorities predict that over the duration of Asap’s implementation, Ireland’s share would approximate €12 million, sourced from existing contributions to the EU budget rather than independent contributions, as stated by the Department of Defence.
A representative from the department emphasised the crucial importance of these items’ timely availability for supporting Ukraine and maintaining the EU’s security. She expressed that developing production jointly and procuring ammunition at an EU level will also promote the effectiveness of Ireland’s own Defence Forces.
However, Ireland’s involvement in this initiative has sparked backlash from neutrality and human rights activists. Innate’s Rob Fairmichael voiced his concerns to an Oireachtas committee last month that Ireland’s participation in Asap effectively funds lethal ammunition for Ukraine via the EU.
The Irish Government had previously pledged to supply only non-lethal military support to Ukraine, such as medical supplies, fuel and food. Responding to concerns, the Department of Defence reiterated that Ireland’s direct military aid to Ukraine consists solely of non-lethal military aid. Nevertheless, Asap will facilitate an increased supply of ammunition from other EU nations to Ukraine, especially artillery shells for which production numbers are notably higher in Russia.
There are high hopes among officials from the European Union to amplify the bloc’s production to a yearly output of a million rounds. It’s worth noting that Ireland does not foresee making any supplementary voluntary contributions outside its designated EU budget.
The Transnational Institute, a thinktank renowned for its anti-war advocacy, has presented criticisms regarding Ireland and the EU’s involvement in Asap in a recently published report. The institute highlighted that numerous businesses benefiting from Asap are simultaneously supplying Israel with arms, directly supporting the country’s war efforts in Gaza. An alarming death toll of 37,000 has been recorded since 7th October 2023.
The report has drawn attention to the prevailing atmosphere of war mania dominating Brussels, with peace advocates finding their voices increasingly diminished. “Ireland must raise a voice for peace,” Niamh Ní Bhriain from the Transnational Institute suggested during an Oireachtas committee meeting in the previous month.