Lack of Irish defence spending and security a backdoor threat to UK, says think tank

The UK faces a backdoor threat from a growing Iranian, Russian and Chinese presence in the Republic of Ireland, according to a report by the Policy Exchange.

The influential think tank argues the UK should expand its air and naval presence in Northern Ireland for maritime patrols, to counter a growing Russian threat on the UK’s western flank.

The report, backed by former defence secretaries Michael Fallon and George Robertson, says that with Saturday’s restoration of Stormont the time is now right to focus on the wider issues surrounding British-Irish security relations.

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It accuses Dublin of "freeloading" when it comes to European defence, calling the Republic’s defence forces and security apparatus entirely inadequate, a result of a defence budget which has been less than 0.5% of GDP since 2000.

Policy Exchange says Russia poses a maritime threat to the Western Approaches to the British Isles, through which much transatlantic critical maritime infrastructure passes.

In addition, concerns are raised about Russian intelligence operations in Ireland and its vulnerability to cyber attacks.

The policy institute pointed to the "inordinately large Russian diplomatic outfit in Dublin", explaining how the embassy had 30 members of staff in 2022, more than many other European states.

China is also identified as another significant threat due to its global influence and rapid technological advancements.

In a foreword in support of the report, Sir Michael Fallon and Lord Robertson wrote: "As defence secretaries in different governments at different times, we know that little attention was paid to the security of the island of Ireland in the immediate aftermath of the Cold War.

"We therefore welcome this new report from Policy Exchange, which powerfully reasserts the strategic importance of Ireland, and especially Northern Ireland, to the UK’s national security.

"Russian intelligence ships and warships have been identified off the Irish coast and close to key transatlantic cables.

"The growing Russian, Iranian and Chinese presence in the Republic poses a backdoor threat to the United Kingdom itself."