Two convoys of vehicles from the Irish Defence Forces' stock have arrived in Poland for donation to Ukraine, Ireland's Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris TD, confirmed today, Thursday, September 18.
Operation Carousel 3, led by the Irish 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, Ireland's Department of Defence said on Thursday.
The vehicles donated include 16 double-cab Ford Rangers, eight Ford Transit 15-seater minibuses, five Scania 8x8 DROPS Trucks, three Mercedes ambulances, and two Ford Transits.
The Department noted that 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.
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).
“This important donation is a further indication of Ireland’s steadfast support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal invasion," the Tánaiste said on Thursday after the arrival of the stock in Rzeszów.
“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.”
Ireland’s support for Ukraine is unwavering. 🇮🇪🇺🇦
Today we delivered 34 vehicles & 3 de-mining robots to support Ukraine’s defence and humanitarian needs.
Ireland will keep providing practical, non-lethal aid for as long as it takes.
My full statement: pic.twitter.com/kvipd285QQ
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) September 18, 2025
Ireland's Department of Defence added on Thursday that 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 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 September 5, and the second on September 12.
Ireland is a participant in 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.