Ireland opens talks to join UK-led JEF+ to bolster maritime security

Ireland has reportedly opened talks on joining the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) as an observer.

According to The Journal, Ireland is negotiating to join the UK-led 10-nation northern European alliance. This comes after Ireland’s National Maritime Security Strategy in February 2026, which stated that in order to secure Irish waters, Ireland will need to broaden international relationships.

It adds that Ireland would not join the more offensive core elements of JEF but a tailored version of the mission (called JEF+) that would reflect its long-held neutrality and its very limited naval capabilities.

Ireland would initially work as an observer in JEF+. It sees the potential to increase its ability to counter drone threats and other threats.

Royal Navy & French Navy already defending Ireland

Ireland currently lacks a fast-jet combat fleet and a credible surface fleet, with the Royal Navy and French Navy providing air defence as Ireland hosts the rotating EU presidency.

The Journal notes, “Those closer ties to Nato nations such as Britain are developing fast, and a British naval ship as well as a helicopter are currently deployed in the Irish Sea to assist Ireland secure the meetings of defence and foreign affairs ministers happening this week in Wicklow. “

Helen McEntee has been questioned about the reliance on the French and UK defence forces to provide air and maritime security.

She said Ireland has not spent as much on defence and security “as we should have.” She added, “I believe that has changed and will continue to change.”

While Ireland is not a NATO member, it is working to work more closely with NATO countries, and its defence spending has increased 43% over the last two years.

Countering Russia in the North Atlantic

The JEF was formally launched as a NATO initiative in 2014 and originally comprised seven Participant Nations (Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and the UK).

It was formed after Russia annexed Crimea and is designed to protect the waters around the UK and up to the Arctic Circle by limiting Russia’s ability to operate freely.

The JEF was declared operational in 2015 and in 2017 Finland and Sweden joined, bringing its membership to nine. Iceland (which lacks a navy) joined in 2021.

The initiative fits within the UK’s Operation Bastion. The UK Government says, “Atlantic Bastion combines autonomous vessels and AI with warships and aircraft to create a highly advanced hybrid force to protect undersea cables and pipelines.”