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The Irish Army Óglaigh na hÉireann
The Irish Defence Forces consists of approximately 8,500 men and women. The country is divided into three different
areas for administrative and operational reasons. Each area has its own Infantry Brigade. As part of the Defence Forces
the role of the army is:
- to defend the State against armed aggression.
- to aid the Civil Power.
- to participate in multinational peace support, crisis management and humanitarian relief operations in support of the
United Nations and under UN mandate , including regional security missions authorised by the UN.
- to carry out such other duties as may be assigned to them from time to time.
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Air Corps Aer Chór na h-Éireann
The Air Corps, based in Baldonnel, Co.Dublin are a sophisticated organization. The main role of the Air Corps is to
provide support to the Army, Naval Service and the Garda Síochána in countering threats to State security on land, sea
and air. In addition, the day-to-day peacetime role of the Air Corps includes activities such as Ministerial air
transport, maritime surveillance, fishery protection, search and rescue and air ambulance. The Air Corps craft are
equipped with the latest technology and are highly efficient. The Irish Air Corps were founded in 1922, with only one
plane. Today's Air Corps now has more than 30 craft, all of which are kept in excellent condition at the numerous bases
throughout the country (Find out more by clicking Air Bases).
Naval Service An tSeirbhís Chablaigh
Today's Naval Service, based in Haulbowline, Co. Cork, is a modern and sophisticated organisation. The fleet consists
of one helicopter carrying ship, five offshore patrol vessels and two fast coastal patrol vessels. They are equipped
with state of the art machinery, weapons and communications and navigation systems. The main role of the Naval Service,
as part of the Defence Forces, is to deter incidents of aggression against the state, to uphold neutrality and to
ensure that the law is being observed in our territorial seas. In addition, the day to day peace time role of the Naval
Service, include fishery protection duties, search and rescue, diving operations and pollution control. Along with the
Garda Síochana and the Customs and Excise, the Naval Service is involved in the prevention of the importation of
illegal drugs into the country. Naval Service ships conduct courtesy visits to European Ports and undertake annual
overseas supply missions to the Irish troops serving with the United Nations in the Lebanon. Fishery protection is an
important task of the Naval Service which has increased enormously since Ireland joined the European Union and the
subsequent declaration of the 200 mile exclusive economic zone (132,000 square miles of ocean). The Naval Service
operates closely with the Air Corps Maritime Squadron (2 CASA Maritime patrol aircraft) in its task of fishery
protection.
