Tánaiste confirms vehicle and robot donation to Ukrainian Armed Forces

The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris, has today (18 September) confirmed the arrival in Poland of two convoys of vehicles from Defence Forces’ stock for donation to Ukraine.

Operation Carousel 3, led by the Defence Forces Transport Corps, facilitated the safe arrival of the 34 vehicles at the International Donor Coordination Cell in Rzeszów, Poland, as part of Ireland’s European Peace Facility contribution.

In addition to the donation of vehicles, the convoy also carried three Reacher Robots, which will be donated to the De-mining Coalition in which Ireland is a participant, under the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG).

Speaking after their arrival in Rzeszów, the Tánaiste said:

“This important donation is a further indication of Ireland’s steadfast support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal invasion.

“It is imperative that we continue to stand firm in the face of ongoing Russian aggression and support Ukraine in whatever way we can.

“This donation is a practical example of that support, reflecting Ireland’s provision of non-lethal aid to the Ukrainian Armed Forces following Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

“The donation is being facilitated through the Clearing House Cell (CHC) of the European Union Military Staff (EUMS). The vehicles being donated are suitable to Ukraine’s needs and their handover will be confirmed in Poland by the Defence Forces and the Ukrainian Armed Forces.”

An application for partial reimbursement of the value of this donation will be made via the European Peace Facility (EPF). The Defence Forces will submit details of the donation to the EU Military Staff Clearing House Cell (EUMS CHC).

The 34 military vehicles are being replaced through the ongoing programme of replacement for the Defence Forces and will have no impact on operational capacity.

The following is the list of vehicles being donated

• 2 x Ford transit
• 3 x Mercedes Ambulance
• 5 x Scania 8x8 DROPS Trucks
• 8 x Ford transit 15 seater Minibus
• 16 x Double Cab Ford Rangers

The convoys followed the same path as previous donations, travelling by ferry to Dunkirk before transiting through Belgium, Netherlands and Germany and then on to the donation cell in Poland. The first convoy arrived at the International Donation Coordination Cell on 5 September and the second on 12 September.

Ireland is a participant of two Ukraine Defence Contact Groups (UDCG), which provide non-lethal military support to Ukraine, and are co-led by Baltic countries. These are the Demining capability coalition led by Lithuania and Iceland, and, the IT coalition led by Estonia and Luxembourg.