Irish Investment in defence will enhance not sacrifice sovereignty

“The crisis consists precisely in the fact that the old is dying and the new cannot be born…” These words were penned almost 100 years ago from the prison cell of Italian philosopher and politician, Antionio Gramsci. Yet they sum up the defence and security landscape in Europe today. Old assumptions about continental security have been upended with Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. Capitals from Dublin to Kyiv now face a complex, fast-changing, and ever more sophisticated range of threats from state and non-state actors alike. Threats that do not pause simply because a state declares itself neutral.

Following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, then German Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared the moment a “Zeitenwende,” or turning point, for Germany and for Europe. He announced a major increase in defence spending and a political and psychological shift to match. Sweden and Finland, two previously militarily neutral countries, announced their intention to join Nato only weeks after Putin’s bombs reached Kyiv. But after this initial frenetic response there is still much more to be done, particularly in the context of an increasingly unpredictable America.

Ireland’s situation is no different with the country’s own historical perspective on defence affairs. Politicians are recognising that generational underinvestment in national security must be addressed to meet today’s threats. Testing of air and maritime sovereignty, hybrid warfare, cyber-attacks, and threats to critical infrastructure are now routine concerns. Ireland's subsea cables, through which billions of euros of commerce flow daily, are vulnerable to sabotage. Its energy infrastructure, including future offshore wind farms and interconnectors require greater protection. The country's extensive maritime territory is an opportune target for foreign submarine activity and intelligence gathering operations. Although these threats are not unique to Ireland, the stark capability gap is.

Ireland has relied on others for help with some threats. British and French aircraft have intercepted Russian military flights approaching Irish airspace because Ireland lacks the capability to do so itself. It’s no small irony that Nato members provide the security architecture that allows Ireland to maintain its neutrality in comfort.

The case for Ireland to invest more in its own security and sovereignty is as compelling as it is obvious. The budgetary increase in defence spending demonstrates that the government recognises this too. Protection of people, territory and national assets is the first duty of any government and there is an emerging consensus of sorts that Ireland can and should do more of its own heavy lifting. Far from compromising the country’s national sovereignty - something the Irish are rightly proud of, and which I greatly admire - such action would, in fact, strengthen it.

The economic case for defence investment is equally compelling. Ireland has transformed itself into one of Europe's most dynamic economies, home to global technology and pharmaceutical giants. This success story rests on political stability, the rule of law, and reliable infrastructure, all of which requires comprehensive security architecture to maintain it. A single successful cyber-attack could cost billions and wreak chaos, as the 2021 attack on the HSE attests to. A maritime incident affecting subsea cables could cripple Ireland's digital economy and have far-reaching global consequences, not to mention lasting reputational damage.

The domestic economic benefits would be substantial. Investment in defence capabilities means highly skilled, well-paid jobs in engineering, technology, manufacturing, and services. It means contracts for Irish companies and opportunities to develop expertise in cutting-edge sectors like cyber, aerospace, and maritime technology. Irish universities and research hubs would also benefit.

Likeminded and small European nations show what's possible. Denmark, with a similar population to Ireland, maintains a highly capable armed forces, a defence industry, and is globally respected for its contributions to international security. Finland and Sweden, both formerly neutral, have maintained robust defence capabilities throughout their history. These countries haven't sacrificed their sovereignty through defence investment, they've enhanced it.

There are parallels with Ireland’s incredible tech sector boom. Nobody suggested building indigenous capability in technology would compromise Irish values. Instead, it was recognised as essential for economic prosperity, seeing Ireland punch well above its weight on the world stage. Defence deserves the same clear-eyed and ambitious approach, with capabilities appropriate to a modern European democracy with global economic interests.

The coming years will see a continued fracturing of the security landscape, not least across Europe. Climate change will intensify the competition for resources at home and abroad. Cyber warfare will escalate. Hostile disinformation campaigns and election interference will become a growing feature in our democracies. Threats to critical infrastructure will multiply. Ireland will have to equip itself to deal with these threats. Doing so now, rather than in the fog of a crisis, is the most responsible and cost-effective course of action.

Neutrality without capability is a cold comfort. Investment in sovereign defence and national resilience is not militarism, but prudence. It recognises that sovereignty means not just making your own political choices based on your values but having the capability to defend them in a more dangerous world.

By Stewart McDonald, Senior Advisor

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Stewart McDonald, previously served as an SNP Member of UK Parliament from 2015 to 2024, holding senior roles including his party's Defence Spokesman and a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Fenton Fitzwilliam advises clients across Ireland and the EU on public affairs, policy and strategic communications, helping organisations cut through complexity, build understanding and deliver results that matter.