Ireland's defensive frailty exposed by Russian exercise

We are every bit as bad?

I hate to compare degrees of badness but that's just hyperbole.

It wouldn't take Billions definitely can buy a number of fast jets for less than a billion dependant on type of aircraft and role required of said aircraft .

If we stopped over seas aid for 10 years we could divert the 10 billion give or take into the defense budget , oddly enough our overseas aid budget it bigger than our defense budget ...

It would take investment ,but it's doable

We become self sufficient in been able to defend our own airspace and waters , even give our defense forces a little pride and the ability to do the job we trained them for ,

We should be embarrassed in this day and age the defense forces hasn't the ability to patrol and defend our airspace and waters,we have defense forces families reliant on welfare to stay afloat,

The longest term spend would be maintance which could be reduced with the right deals and treaties.

We should have more resources to protect the fisheries, smuggling and peace keeping. But building a defence force capable of 'defending the country' is a waste of time and money.

Of course it’s hyped up by the biased anti Russia media.

I doubt if any live rounds will be fired by the Russians, UK subs will keep an eye on the Russians, they’ll go around in circles and then go home.

Best advice is to turn off radio and tv though I must admit some of the loons on Liveline are good for a laugh and worth a listen.

Because peace keeping and relationship building are far more efficient ways to build a safer and less violent world.

We wouldn't be able to defend our country in any event. Simple as.

No it isn't a waste. It need not be that expensive either, a proper radar system some anti aircraft missiles a few supersonic interceptors, a well trained reserve educated in guerilla warfare backed by a small but well equipped regular army. I know it wouldn't defeat a major power but it would make them think twice and make us not worth the cost. Think of Michael Collins making it impossible for Britain to control this island in 1921.

To be honest, I think that would be a realistic reposte. State that Russian incursions in the North Sea and now the Atlantic are driving European countries into NATO creating the very scenario they are supposedly trying to thwart. Repeated incursions will increase public pressure to have an actual defence force capable of repulsion with the tech mentioned in the post before.

Then, in relation to Ukraine, there should be an agreed principle that backs up vague statements on NATO not being anti-Russian by a set of principles that actually make it official policy not to encircle the Russian Federation. As everyone knows, the whole Ukraine revolution was given wings by US spotting an opening. When it happened in Georgia, European leaders like Sarkozy (he had some positives) were able to mediate, but now as Europe has no voice and military to back it, is left out of the conversation. And no, I don't think Ukraine should join NATO....

I disagree, as you might expect.

Ah The Russians are doing no harm. If you had a big ship like that to play with you would want to take it for a good spin.

There is a lot of new ways to develop military deterrence. For examples drones and water drones. Many militaries are developing ways to fight asymmetrically. Asymmetrically warfare is a military doctrine that Ireland could exploit without vast expense to start pulling our own weight. Some would not just me for military use. The air corps and navy has an important role in defending the EU's western border against smuggling.