A group that lobbies the Irish government on behalf of international arms manufacturers has acquired several new clients – including companies whose products are linked to the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, which is owned by the Norwegian state, is one of IDSA's new clients. The company owns part of Nammo, a major arms manufacturer whose weaponry has been used by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza during the current conflict.
Nammo has sold “bunker buster” bombs, M72 rocket launchers, armour-piercing bullets and parts for the F-35 fighter jet to Israel. The company is also a significant supplier of military equipment to NATO countries.
Also among the recent additions to IDSA's membership is Irish defence manufacturer Timoney Technology, whose components ended up in Russian military vehicles deployed in Ukraine. The company entered into an agreement in 2012 to supply Kamaz – a Russian automotive firm controlled partially by state weapons maker Rostec – with vehicle parts including suspension systems, axles and transmissions.
When Russia invaded Ukraine, KamAZ-53949 vehicles containing these Irish-made components were spotted in use by Chechen forces and Russia's National Guard.
The Ditch has asked IDSA what vetting processes it has in place for membership of its group.
“Very high” corruption risks
Hensoldt AG, which makes radar and surveillance technology used by both the German and Ukrainian militaries, is now listed as a member of the Irish Defence and Security Association (IDSA) lobbying group. The German state owns a 21.5 percent stake in the company.
In 2023 Der Spiegel reported that Hensoldt AG proceeded with a €1.19 million military sensor contract in Uganda despite internal warnings of "very high” corruption risk and alerts about potential bribery.
According to the report, Israeli arms dealer Boaz Badichi provided "in-country support" for the deal through a front company. Internal documents also referenced the president and described his son as an acquaintance of Hensoldt. Both have been accused of human rights abuses.
The company has also used its British and South African subsidiaries to send weapons to Saudi Arabia, evading previous German export restrictions.
Another new IDSA client, Spanish arms company Indra, faced regulatory action in 2019. Spain’s competition authority found the company had participated in an illegal bid-rigging scheme between 2013 and 2015 for contracts on high-speed rail infrastructure.
Fifteen companies were fined €118 million for their role in the cartel.
The Ditch has previously reported that IDSA’s clients include some of the world’s most powerful arms dealers – including Lockheed Martin, provider of weapons deployed in both Gaza and Yemen, and Swedish firm Saab.
Another member of IDSA, KNDS France, manufactured defence systems that Amnesty International last year identified in armoured vehicles being used by paramilitaries in the Sudan civil war, which has killed over 150,000 people and displaced 11 million.
KNDS sold "Galix" systems to the United Arab Emirates – defensive equipment that protects vehicles by firing projectiles and smoke devices. Amnesty International says that these systems were later installed in Sudanese-made armoured vehicles, likely violating a UN arms embargo on Sudan.
It is not known if the list of IDSA “members” published on its website is its complete client list.
IDSA declined to comment.
