Irish Defense Forces Monitor US, Russian, French, and UK Warships Off South Coast

The Irish Defense Forces said on February 3 that they were monitoring international warships both outside and inside Ireland’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The statement came after Russia changed its plan to carry out naval exercises in international waters inside Ireland’s EEZ, where the country has rights over marine resources. The plan had sparked protests from Irish government and fishing groups, prompting Russia to relocate the planned military drills to take place outside Ireland’s EEZ.

The drills were planned amid rising tensions over a buildup of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine.

On February 3, the Defense Forces said the Irish Air Corps and Irish Naval Service Vessels observed US, Russian, and French vessels in international waters off the island of Ireland. The Irish Air Corps also monitored Royal Air Force combat aircraft southeast of, and outside, Ireland’s EEZ.

This footage was distributed by the Irish Defense Forces, who said it shows the Russian presence on January 31.

The Defense Forces said the observed activity is in line with the UN Convention on the Law Of the Sea (UNCLOS) rules for transit through international waters.

“These international naval vessels are transmitting on the Automatic Identification System (AIS) and are outside Irish Territorial Waters,” the statement read. “Territorial waters are 12 nautical miles from the coast of Ireland and, under UNCLOS, there is no restriction on warships operating on the high seas inside and outside of Exclusive Economic Zones.” Credit: Irish Defense Forces via Storyful

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