Ireland has sent 34 used military vehicles to Rzeszów in southeastern Poland for transfer to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, along with three Reacher Robots designed to clear mines and unexploded ordnance.
The package consists of two Ford Transit vans, three Mercedes ambulances, five Scania 8×8 DROPS trucks, eight Ford Transit 15-seat minibuses, and 16 double-cab Ford Rangers.
Dublin said the vehicles, retired under a renewal program, will not affect its military’s operational capacity.
The Irish Defence Forces Transport Corps delivered the shipments in two convoys, following the same route as previous deliveries: by ferry to Dunkirk, then overland through Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany before reaching Poland.
Convoys of vehicles and robots have arrived sagely at the International Donor Coordination Cell in Poland from Defence Forces’ stock for donation to Ukraine.
Read more here: https://t.co/8eyStpGPux pic.twitter.com/VwDQjVmdMy
— Department of Defence (@IRLDeptDefence) September 18, 2025
Assistance ‘Imperative’
The aid is being coordinated through the European Peace Facility, a European Union fund that reimburses member states for some security-related costs. Dublin will apply for partial repayment of the donation’s value.
The transfer is being overseen at the International Donor Coordination Cell in Rzeszów, with support from the EU Military Staff Clearing House Cell.
Commenting on this milestone, Tánaiste and Defence Minister Simon Harris said Ireland’s contribution reflects the country’s commitment to supporting Ukraine.
“It is imperative that we continue to stand firm in the face of ongoing Russian aggression and support Ukraine in whatever way we can,” Harris said.
“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.”
Aid Continues, Deployment of Troops Possible
Ireland’s support for Ukraine remains limited by policy to non-lethal aid, but Harris said at a recent parliamentary meeting that he would consider sending Irish Defence Forces personnel on a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine if an agreement is reached.
Still, Harris stressed that Irish troops would not be deployed to an active warzone.
“Our peacekeepers serve with absolute distinction. All the talk about peace is happening while Putin continues his reign of terror,” Harris stated.
“There is no indication at all that Putin wishes to see anything like peace. However, if we get to a moment where there is a peace agreement that requires peacekeepers, why would we not consider deploying the troops?”
Currently, the country participates in two non-armed coalitions within a multinational defense group for Ukraine: the Demining Coalition, led by Lithuania and Iceland, which will receive the Reacher Robots, and the IT Coalition, led by Estonia and Luxembourg.
As of date, Ireland has committed over 380 million euros ($446.9 million) in non-lethal military aid to Ukraine since Moscow advanced to Kyiv in February 2022.
