THE IRISH GOVERNMENT has confirmed a multi‑million‑euro contract with French defence specialist Thales DMS France to supply state‑of‑the‑art towed sonar capability for the Naval Service.
Thales DMS France, renowned for its expertise in defence, aeronautics and security, will deliver a towed sonar system designed for subsea monitoring. The system will operate across Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), providing key oversight of subsea assets such as communications cables and gas pipelines.
Within the first 100 words: The towed sonar capability will greatly enhance underwater domain awareness, especially around critical infrastructure and trade routes.
Commenting on the deal, Tánaiste Simon Harris said: “This significant investment in sonar capability will provide the Naval Service with a state‑of‑the‑art sonar system, which will enable them to build a picture of our subsea, thus contributing to the important task of protecting our critical underwater infrastructure.”
He added: “This is one of many strands of work. It will serve as an important first step in creating a ‘pattern of life’ in the subsea domain, with future projects further enhancing this capability. This investment will contribute to the Programme for Government commitment to focus on the protection of critical undersea.”
The system is expected to enter service by 2027. Once operational, it will:
- Enhance detection of underwater threats
- Aid in monitoring illegal fishing, illicit trafficking, espionage and terrorist activity
- Build a comprehensive underwater situational picture
Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, welcomed the announcement: “This advancement in capabilities of the Naval Service, through the procurement of towed array sonar, will enable our ships at sea to monitor the subsurface space within our maritime area.
This capability will greatly enhance the Defence Forces’ situational awareness across domains and is a welcome advancement in the continued development and transformation of the Óglaigh na hÉireann.”
Thales, based in Paris, recently confirmed plans to open a third manufacturing facility in Northern Ireland—an expansion that may support future Irish maritime programmes.
Summary: Why This Matters
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Enhanced security | Deepens maritime surveillance within Ireland’s EEZ |
| Strategic resilience | Safeguards undersea cables and pipelines |
| Operational readiness | First-of-its-kind “towed sonar capability” sets new defence benchmark |
| Economic tie‑in | Thales’s Northern Ireland facility boosts regional industry links |
This agreement marks a significant step forward in Ireland’s maritime defence, delivering advanced towed sonar capability and reinforcing its pledge to protect critical undersea infrastructure in line with government priorities.
