Irish ambulances and recovery vehicles reach Poland ahead of donation to Ukraine

The first of four convoys of Irish ambulances and recovery and transport vehicles arrived in Poland on Friday ahead of their donation to Ukraine.

Led by the Defence Forces Transport Corps, Operation Carousel will see the movement of 30 Defence Forces’ vehicles to the International Donor Coordination Cell in Rzeszow.

As part of Ireland’s European Peace Facility contribution, 54 personnel will oversee vehicles being moved over four convoys which will arrive in Poland over the next month.

The donation is part of Ireland’s non-lethal aid to the Ukrainian armed forces following Russia’s invasion in 2022.

Speaking ahead of the convoy’s arrival, Tanaiste Micheal Martin, who is also the Minister for Defence, said: “Ireland remains steadfast in support for the people of Ukraine following the illegal and immoral invasion by Russia and we will continue to provide what support we can as Ukraine defends itself against ongoing aggression.

“The donation of these ambulances and transport vehicles is a practical and concrete measure to show that support and is fully consistent with our position of providing non-lethal aid.”

Earlier this year, following consultation with the EU, the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces agreed a donation of 30 vehicles for Ukraine.

The vehicles are being conveyed in four separate convoys over a period of approximately a month from mid-June to mid-July.The planned donation consists of 20 x Ford Rangers; four Scania 8X8 DROPs (Demountable Rack Offload and Pickup System); three Iveco 8X8 DROPs, one Iveco 8X8 recovery vehicle and two Mercedes Sprinter ambulances.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Defence said that an application for partial reimbursement of the value of this donation is expected to be made via the European Peace Facility in the coming weeks once delivery is completed.

The convoys are travelling by ferry to Dunkirk, before moving through Belgium, Germany and on to Poland.