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Russian Military Exercises Raise Some Serious Questions - Former Defence Forces Chief of Staff Mark Mellett

3rd February 2022
Former Defence Forces chief of staff Mark Mellett
Former Defence Forces chief of staff Mark Mellett

The Russian military exercises which had been due to take place within Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone ( EEZ) raise some serious questions, according to former Defence Forces chief of staff Mark Mellett.

Mellett believes the Russian Federation’s original plan was intended to “unsettle the EU”, while showing an “utter disregard for Irish sovereign rights”, for Irish defence forces, the rights of fishers and protection of the environment.

He said the exercises' timing, with severe tension over Russian military build-up on the border with Ukraine, was no accident.

"Mellett believes the Russian Federation’s original plan was intended to “unsettle the EU”

Maritime lawyer Prof Clive Symmons has said the government was wrong to state initially that it was powerless to prevent Russia holding exercises within the EEZ.

Symmons said the UN Law of the Sea Convention is a “grey area” when it comes to military exercises – as distinct from the right of innocent passage on the high seas, which is defined.

Map showing the area (in red) where Russia planned to conduct military manoeuvresMap showing the area (in red) where Russia planned to conduct military manoeuvres

However, he pointed out there are provisions for a state to protect its economic resources within an EEZ.

The initial Russian plan some 240 km off the south coast– which was dropped after intervention by the Irish South and West Fish Producers’ Organisation and correspondence between Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney and the Russian defence minister – was “unprecedented”, Mellett observed.

Speaking to Wavelengths on the issues raised, Mellett said that “greater complementarity” is required between the EU and Nato, which recognises member-state sovereignty. He also spoke about what this means for Ireland’s policy of neutrality.

You can listen to Wavelengths HERE

Lorna Siggins

About The Author

Lorna Siggins

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Lorna Siggins is a print and radio reporter, and a former Irish Times western correspondent. She is the author of Search and Rescue: True stories of Irish Air-Sea Rescues and the Loss of R116 (2022); Everest Callling (1994) on the first Irish Everest expedition; Mayday! Mayday! (2004); and Once Upon a Time in the West: the Corrib gas controversy (2010). She is also co-producer with Sarah Blake of the Doc on One "Miracle in Galway Bay" which recently won a Celtic Media Award

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Naval Visits focuses on forthcoming courtesy visits by foreign navies from our nearest neighbours, to navies from European Union and perhaps even those navies from far-flung distant shores.

In covering these Naval Visits, the range of nationality arising from these vessels can also be broad in terms of the variety of ships docking in our ports.

The list of naval ship types is long and they perform many tasks. These naval ships can include coastal patrol vessels, mine-sweepers, mine-hunters, frigates, destroyers, amphibious dock-landing vessels, helicopter-carriers, submarine support ships and the rarer sighting of submarines.

When Naval Visits are made, it is those that are open to the public to come on board, provide an excellent opportunity to demonstrate up close and personal, what these look like and what they can do and a chance to discuss with the crew.

It can make even more interesting for visitors when a flotilla arrives, particularly comprising an international fleet, adding to the sense of curiosity and adding a greater mix to the type of vessels boarded.

All of this makes Naval Visits a fascinating and intriguing insight into the role of navies from abroad, as they spend time in our ports, mostly for a weekend-long call, having completed exercises at sea.

These naval exercises can involve joint co-operation between other naval fleets off Ireland, in the approaches of the Atlantic, and way offshore of the coasts of western European countries.

In certain circumstances, Naval Visits involve vessels which are making repositioning voyages over long distances between continents, having completed a tour of duty in zones of conflict.

Joint naval fleet exercises bring an increased integration of navies within Europe and beyond. These exercises improve greater co-operation at EU level but also internationally, not just on a political front, but these exercises enable shared training skills in carrying out naval skills and also knowledge.

Naval Visits are also reciprocal, in that the Irish Naval Service, has over the decades, visited major gatherings overseas, while also carrying out specific operations on many fronts.

Ireland can, therefore, be represented through these ships that also act as floating ambassadorial platforms, supporting our national interests.

These interests are not exclusively political in terms of foreign policy, through humanitarian commitments, but are also to assist existing trade and tourism links and also develop further.

Equally important is our relationship with the Irish diaspora, and to share this sense of identity with the rest of the World.