Analysis: The strategy comes at a time when Ireland stands at a critical juncture in defining how it will protect one of Europe's largest sea areas
By the end of 2025, Ireland will have its first ever National Maritime Security Strategy, intended to set the country's priorities in this domain for the next five years. Once seablind as it failed to recognise the relevance of the maritime domain for its economy and society, Ireland has recently adapted its strategic posture, particularly following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its assertiveness in Irish waters.
It's good timing as Ireland stands at a critical juncture in defining how it will protect one of Europe’s largest sea areas. The nation’s strategic position at the crossroads of Atlantic trade routes, combined with its role as a global technology hub, has transformed Ireland from a benign maritime periphery into a centre of international significance and, potentially, vulnerability.
The waters surrounding Ireland are no longer simply scenic coastlines or mere fishing grounds. Instead, they are a complex security environment where traditional maritime threats intersect with modern challenges, ranging from cyber warfare to climate change. The development of this inaugural strategy comes at a time when maritime security threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and interconnected, especially in the aftermath of the conflicts happening at the borders of Europe.
Recent incidents involving suspected sabotage of undersea infrastructure, the presence of foreign surveillance vessels in Irish waters and the growing recognition of hybrid warfare tactics have highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to maritime security. The following threats represent the most pressing challenges for the country to be addressed in the upcoming strategy.
Undersea cables
Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris has noted that "the security of Ireland’s sub-sea infrastructure is a matter of utmost importance with maritime security representing a priority action area for this Government". Ireland hosts many data centres, which handle most of the transatlantic data traffic. More than 95% of international data and voice transfers are routed through undersea fibre optic cables, with transatlantic data passing through cables situated in Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
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This infrastructure represents Ireland’s most significant maritime vulnerability and, simultaneously, its most strategically important asset requiring protection. The threat to these cables has become increasingly apparent following incidents such as the suspected sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines and the continuous presence of various Russian 'shadow ships’ over cables and critical power lines in Irish waters. Any disruption to these cables would have catastrophic consequences not just for Ireland, but for global communications and commerce.
The economic implications are staggering, considering that these cables facilitate billions of dollars in financial transactions daily and support Ireland’s position as a European technology hub. The Strategy must establish comprehensive monitoring systems, rapid response protocols and international cooperation mechanisms to detect and respond to threats against this infrastructure.
Cyber and hybrid threats
The convergence of cyber and maritime domains creates new vulnerabilities that traditional security approaches cannot adequately address. Modern maritime threats increasingly involve hybrid warfare tactics that blur the distinction between civilian and military targets, as well as between peacetime and wartime activities. For instance, the cyber-attack on the HSE in 2021, costing over €130 million to repair the infrastructure, can be considered the primary example in Ireland.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, Jackie Fox reports that some 245 so-called 'shadow fleet' vessels passed through Ireland's maritime Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) more than 450 times in the first seven months of this year, according to data obtained by RTÉ News
The nature of Ireland’s digital and physical maritime infrastructure means that a cyber-attack on port management systems could have physical consequences, while physical interference with cables could disrupt cyber networks. It is recommended that Strategy must integrate cybersecurity measures with traditional maritime security, establish information-sharing mechanisms between relevant agencies, and develop capabilities to attribute and respond to hybrid threats across multiple domains.
Maritime domain awareness
The third threat relates to the concept of maritime domain awareness, defined as "effective understanding of anything associated with the maritime domain that could impact security, safety, the economy or the marine environment" by the International Maritime Organisation. The Irish Naval Service and Air Corps are now aggressively challenging lingering vessels in their waters, such as, for instance, the 'shadow' Russian fleet, which has been alleged to have been helping that country to avoid the economic sanctions.
Current surveillance capabilities are insufficient to effectively monitor the vast expanse of Irish waters, creating blind spots that hostile actors can exploit. The Strategy must prioritise investment in advanced radar systems, satellite monitoring, underwater detection systems, and autonomous surveillance platforms. Integration of these systems into a comprehensive maritime picture is essential for coordinating responses between naval, air, and civilian authorities.
The time for Irish decision-makers to chart their course through these troubled waters is now.
In conclusion, Ireland's inaugural National Maritime Security Strategy represents more than a policy document as it will stand as a declaration of the country's commitment to protecting its sovereign waters and critical interests in an increasingly complex security environment. The stimulus for drafting the Strategy demonstrates the country's interests in the maritime field, as the extent to which Ireland meets these maritime security challenges will determine the safety and prosperity of its citizens in this interconnected world. The time for Irish decision-makers to chart their course through these troubled waters is now.
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The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
