Ireland plans to increase radar and subsea monitoring capabilities, and work more closely with NATO members in the face of hybrid threats arising from the North Atlantic. This was revealed by the country on Wednesday as part of its first maritime strategy.

Ireland, which has the lowest defence spending in the EU and is neutral, has been criticized for its inability to monitor and protect territorial waters, which, according to the strategy, cover "a nexus of important transatlantic data cables and crucial energy interconnectors".

The document stated that the publication was made amid growing concern about the threat posed by Russia's shadow fleet of vessels, which could be used for espionage or sabotage. Russia denies such accusations.

The Department of Defence's strategy calls for a closer relationship with NATO members Britain, France and Ireland and suggests that Ireland participate in joint expeditionary force activities consisting of 10 North Atlantic NATO states.

The statement described these moves as "vital".

Ireland's government is hesitant to cooperate with NATO or the European Union's military power because of the strong support it receives for its military neutrality. However, the government says that they have no other choice.

When asked by the opposition about the plans for cooperation with NATO members states, Prime Minister Micheal Mart said: "If something happened to the gas connectors with Britain we would not have an economy in ten days."

Ireland's strategy states that it will work to close "critical gaps" with its monitoring capability by developing new radar, sonobuoy and towed-sonar capabilities over the next two year. It will examine space-based technologies, and work more closely with EU programs for data sharing.

The report also calls for an increased use of new technologies such as unmanned vessels and maritime drones.

According to the last comparison by the EU statistics service, Ireland spent 0.2% of its GDP on defense in 2023. This was the lowest figure in the European Union and well below the 1.3% average for that year.

The government has not yet announced any plans to increase spending to the EU standard. (Written by Conor Humphries, edited by Alison Williams).

(source: Reuters)