Defence Forces to Monitor Deep Seas

Ireland will significantly strengthen its underwater defence with the purchase of its first-ever towed sonar system, following the signing of a multi-million euro deal with French defence firm Thales DMS.

The cutting-edge sonar, announced today by Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris TD, will be fitted to Naval Service vessels and used to monitor subsea activity within the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It will play a key role in protecting vital infrastructure such as undersea cables and gas pipelines.

“This marks a major step forward for maritime defence,” Harris said. “It will give us a clearer view of what’s happening beneath our waters and help safeguard our national interests.”

Expected to be operational by 2027, the system will boost the Defence Forces’ ability to detect underwater threats including illegal fishing, drug smuggling, espionage, and sabotage.

The investment is part of a broader plan to address emerging threats in the maritime domain and aligns with recommendations from the Commission on the Defence Forces.

Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, hailed the move as a “game-changer” for naval operations and underwater surveillance.

A National Maritime Security Strategy is also being finalised, with a public consultation set to launch in the coming days.