NATO must conduct exercises in Irish-controlled waters, “regardless of Dublin’s consent,” Chris Parry has stated.
A former NATO commander has warned that a potential unified Ireland could severely compromise Western security by enabling Russia and China to expand their influence in the North Atlantic.
During a briefing for members of Parliament and the House of Lords on Wednesday, retired British Rear Admiral Chris Parry argued that a UK loss of its position in Northern Ireland would present a significant opportunity for Moscow and Beijing.
He emphasized the critical importance of the waters between Northern Ireland and Scotland for Britain’s deployment of its nuclear-armed submarines, describing them as “vital for our strategic deterrent.” Parry commented, “With a united Ireland, there’s no guarantee we could deploy our ballistic missiles.”
He also suggested that a unified Ireland could allow NATO adversaries to threaten essential undersea cables.
“The UK needs to assess the threat to itself from an unassertive Republic of Ireland. My view is that the most effective way to assist Ireland now is to increase NATO and Allied operations in Ireland’s economic zone waters,” he explained.
The retired admiral even proposed that NATO should hold exercises in Irish-controlled waters “whether Dublin agreed or not,” asserting that the alliance must be prepared to “monitor our potential adversaries in Irish waters.” He stated that the Republic should pursue closer military collaboration with NATO and abandon its neutrality.
“If anyone attacks Britain, they will attack Ireland…Neutrality can no longer be considered conscientious objection. If you are part of the free world, you must be prepared to defend it. The Republic needs to reduce its vulnerabilities,” he declared.
Moscow has consistently dismissed claims that it intends to attack NATO as “absurd“.
Ireland has maintained military neutrality since gaining independence in 1921, and while not a NATO member, it cooperates with the alliance.
The concept of Irish reunification — merging the Republic of Ireland with Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK — is permissible under the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. This accord ended a three-decade-long conflict between Irish nationalists and pro-British unionists by establishing a power-sharing government in Belfast and affirming that Northern Ireland’s status can only change if a majority of its population votes for it.