Republic of Ireland: Defence
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps he has taken to improve bilateral defence cooperation between the UK and Ireland.
Answered by Al Carns
On 13 March 2026 the Secretary of State for Defence, and the Irish Minister for Defence, announced the signing of the refreshed UK-Ireland Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The updated MOU focuses on maritime cooperation, cyber defence, air domain information sharing, and increased joint procurement. This modernised MOU will improve bilateral defence cooperation between the UK and Ireland, providing a stronger, more agile foundation for cooperation, while respecting the distinct defence and security policies of both countries.
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