Russian spy ship observed operating three drones in Irish-controlled waters overnight
Vessel named Yantar widely believed by western military intelligence to be equipped to conduct surveillance and possible sabotage on critical marine infrastructure
Air Corps
Read more about the air defence component of Óglaigh na hÉireann
Garda purchases sophicated surveillance aircraft from Canadian manufacturer
De Havilland Twin Otter Guardian’s mission will centre on intelligence gathering and surveillance
Inquiry into claims of bullying and sexual misconduct in Defence Forces set to begin
Tribunal of inquiry will investigate allegations of discrimination and harassment in Defence Forces made by Women of Honour members
‘Eye of the State’: On patrol with the Irish Air Corps’ new maritime aircraft
Conor Gallagher joins crew members as they explain how the new acquisitions can help tackle a range of threats from fishery violations to incursions by ships from potentially hostile nations
Air Corps members allege they were penalised for whistleblowing by loss of retirement ceremony
Failure to invite soldier back for unit presentation is ‘biggest slap in the face’, airman says
Department of Defence tells Air Corps that €8m government Learjet needs to be taken out of service
Minister arrived at Baldonnel for scheduled flight to Belgium only to be told the jet could not fly
Army’s elite special forces unit to be overhauled in major revamp
Secretive Army Ranger Wing is getting a new name, more personnel and a revamped command structure
Air Corps pilots who glided stricken plane back to base among Defence Forces awards recipients
Army Ranger Wing team who helped save German colleagues following attack in Mali recognised for ‘physical courage’
Third man charged in relation to €157m drug seizure off Irish coast
Third suspect will appear in Wexford court over two tonnes of cocaine seized in Army Ranger Wing operation on bulk cargo ship
Lack of additional helicopters added ‘unnecessary risk’ to Cork drugs bust operation - Cathal Berry
Independent TD says success of mission due to ‘courage’ of personnel involved rather than resources at their disposal
Man released without charge in Cork cocaine ship investigation
Eighth person to be arrested is being detained at a Garda station in southern region
Cocaine interception off Cork coast was threatened by shortages including lack of helicopters
Air ambulance had to be pressed into duty due to shortage of available aircraft to assist mission
€157m drug seizure shows importance of ‘reconnaissance’ and not just ‘physical ships at sea’, Tánaiste says
Micheál Martin said difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff not unique to Ireland and linked to ‘full employment’
Large quantity of drugs found on board ship off Cork coast
Large container vessel impounded off Cork coast just 24 hours after trawler runs aground off Wexford
CHC Ireland fails to win new coast guard helicopter service contract
Government to offer search-and-rescue aviation contract to Bristow Ireland Limited in deal worth €670m
No role for courts in determining existence of RAF air defence arrangement, argues State
Republic does not confirm or deny purported agreement, but files defence opposing Senator Gerard Craughwell’s constitutional challenge
Future of Ireland’s air defences up in the air
In two years, Air Corps PC-9s will reach end of 20-year service life, presenting military planners with two options: maintain status quo or buy modern combat aircraft
Ireland likely to join Nato project to protect undersea cables
Ireland has little if any means of protecting undersea cables which carry internet traffic between US and Europe and pass through Irish waters off south and west coasts
Our air defence treaty-not-a-treaty with the UK is great value
John McManus: Like some of the other peculiarities of Anglo-Irish relations, the logic – for both sides – of the air defence treaty-not-a-treaty trumps the spiteful instincts of even the pettiest of political minds
Podcast: The secret Anglo-Irish air defence deal, explained
In the News podcast with Bernice Harrison
Sinn Féin seeks more information on defence agreements with RAF
Tánaiste defends arrangements with British air force to protect Irish airspace
Who protects Irish skies? The secret air defence deal that dates back to the Cold War
Ireland’s air defence agreement with the UK dates to the early days of the Cold War and remains in place today, despite legal concerns
Secret Anglo-Irish air defence agreement dates back to the Cold War era
The agreement remains in place, despite concerns raised by ministers and military officers over the years
Any review of misconduct in Defence Forces must include department and Minister
The military does not make its own rules: responsibility for oversight lies with the Government
Plans to spend over €3.2m on renting private jets for Government officials
Two jets to be leased to fill gap caused by ongoing mechanical issues with Air Corps Learjet
Russian ships spotted off west coast was a ‘cheap way to send a threat’
Ireland ‘not set up’ to properly monitor such incidents, says Irish academic at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs
Ex-helicopter pilot Lieut Gen Seán Clancy faces hardest rescue mission in reforming Defence Forces
Chief of Staff faces scrutiny over claim he never experienced abuses exposed by Women of Honour
Russian ships return to Ireland’s west coast despite appearing to depart for Africa
Efforts to keep track of the vessels hampered by lack of Naval Service personnel
Defence Forces reform: Eight main recommendations from the Independent Review Group
Women of Honour review has recommended sweeping changes within the Defence Forces, from complaints to culture
Air Corps failed to comply with Supreme Court order in chemicals exposure case
Former aircraft mechanic Gavin Tobin alleges exposure to dangerous chemicals led to severe health issues
Two Air Corps planes out of service following crash at Casement Aerodrome
A PC-12 aircraft was being towed when it collided with the wing of a Casa maritime patrol aircraft
Craughwell wants early hearing for challenge to airspace ‘arrangement’ with British military
Senator Gerard Craughwell claims ‘secret arrangement’ allowing British intercept aircraft in Irish airspace ‘unconstitutional’
Public urged to donate to army veterans who have ‘fallen on hard times’
Charity supporting soldiers experiencing homelessness launches camouflage streetwear containing scannable QR-codes
Defence Forces officers criticise ‘ignoring’ of ‘obvious’ reform plans
Raco says Department of Defence ‘obsessed’ with recruiting new members at expense of stopping brain drain of experienced personnel
Victim impact statement of female soldier sexually assaulted by officer cannot be reported
Military judge rules ‘specific details’ could affect ongoing court martial process of officer
Two soldiers who received ‘minor injuries’ in Lebanon attack released from hospital
A team of eight Defence Forces personnel is on its way to Lebanon to help determine how Pte Seán Rooney died
‘I’m the only female pilot serving in the Air Corps at the moment’
What I Do: Lauren Cusack, flight officer in the Irish Air Corps
Rent-a-car escape plan considered for evacuating Irish troops from restive DRC
Government should ‘draw a line’ under Democratic Republic of Congo mission, advise Defence Forces
Religious holidays delayed bringing Air Corps craft and crew back from Uganda — officials
Use of small aircraft to withdraw staff raises questions about Ireland’s long range transport capacity
Air Corps plane and five crew members flying back to Ireland after being stranded in Africa
Crew had flown to Democratic Republic of Congo to collect firearms from extracted army officers
Crews dealing with wildfires could delay emergency response times
Wildfires, as a result of human activity, could affect outcomes of domestic fires and car crashes
Simon Coveney: Ireland will not be joining Nato ‘any time soon’
Minister for Defence will push for €500 million increase in military spending
Irish Air-Sea Rescues: ‘I can still hear those screams, anguished sounds of sorrow’
Extracts from Search and Rescue – True Stories of Irish Air-Sea Rescues and the Loss of R116
Ukraine war shows need for ‘fit-for-purpose’ military, Defence Forces’ chief says
Ceremony marks centenary of Baldonnel handover by RAF to Irish Air Service
Air Corps adjusts ejector seats in effort to recruit more women pilots
Potential pilots must now only attain a minimum weight of 53kg to be safe
Officer cadets withdrawn from graduation after drunken incident in Curragh
The matter is currently the subject of a military police investigation
Mardi Gras in Mayo as Charlie Bird’s carnival winds up Croagh Patrick
Nature holds its breath as Charlie’s message of hope booms across the skies
Air Corps role in Covid and Ukraine crises recognised
Nine new pilots receive their wings at Casement Aerodrome event to mark centenary
Four Irish babies born to surrogate mothers in Kyiv evacuated from Ukraine
Infants united with Irish parents after medics brought them to Ukraine’s western border
Expect a debate on the cost of living for a long time to come
Inside Politics: Plans finalised today on alleviating impact of inflation and energy costs
Recommended Defence Forces upgrades will be huge ask, says Coveney
Military representatives give commission’s reform and funding proposals cautious welcome
Growing risk of Ireland’s land, sea, air being used for attack by belligerent powers – Defence report
Forces ‘not equipped’ to deal with outside threats, Commission calls for 200% budget increase
How Ireland’s military would look under proposed overhaul
Commission calls for much stronger navy, governance changes and removal of barriers to women’s progression
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