The UK Ministry of Defence has announced a new mission to increase surveillance for Russian activity in waters off the Irish coast.
Atlantic Bastion will use autonomous vessels and AI with warships and aircraft to create “a highly advanced hybrid force to protect undersea cables and pipelines”, the MOD said.
The mission will cover waters north, west and south of the British Isles including the majority of sea off Ireland.
Despite this, the Irish Naval Service said they are not involved in the programme.
British authorities said the UK will be “more secure from Russian undersea threats in the North Atlantic through a transformation of the Royal Navy and its submarine-hunting capabilities.”
It is understood that the British Royal Navy is already involved in patrols that also aim to protect Ireland and especially its extensive network of undersea cables.
According to British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, the number of Russia vessels in the area has increased by 30 percent in the past two years.
The UK said that Atlantic Bastion will see ships, submarines, aircraft and underwater drones connected with AI-powered “acoustic detection technology” to detect and respond to threats.
“Atlantic Bastion is the Royal Navy’s plan to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and NATO against the persistent and growing underwater threat from a modernising Russian submarine force.
The UK’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities are a central aspect of European defence and are important capabilities with which to meet the Alliance’s changing needs.”
Ireland’s Department of Defence did not respond to requests for information about its role.