My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Air Corps, Army, and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities for the Air Corps, Army, and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) processes.
The Dassault Falcon 6X is a next generation aircraft which will enhance the State’s transport, airlift and medical evacuation capabilities. It provides the State with an independent and flexible air transport service, which is an increasingly essential requirement to assist the Government in meeting Ireland’s national and international obligations.
In addition, the aircraft will be used for a broad range of other taskings, including the evacuation of Irish citizens from critical situations, air-ambulance patient transfers, medical evacuation or repatriation of Irish Defence Forces personnel deployed on overseas missions, and logistics support for the transport of supplies to Irish Defence Forces overseas missions.
Capital investment in aircraft continues with the placing of the following contracts in recent years:
• Two new Airbus C-295 in Maritime Patrol Aircraft delivered in 2023.
• One new Airbus C-295 in a Military Transport configuration. This aircraft was delivered in October 2025.
• Four Airbus H145M Light Utility Multi-Role Helicopters. These aircraft are in production with phased delivery planned in 2027 and 2028.
Specifically concerning the procurement of future Air Corps assets, the rolling Equipment Development Plan (EDP) encompasses a programme of sustained equipment procurement/acquisition across the Air Corps, Army, and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the new Strategic Framework and the recently updated Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
This is part of the ambitious programme of work to move to Level of Ambition 2 ( LOA2) and will ensure that the Air Corps and the wider Defence Forces have the major equipment platforms, ancillary equipment and force protection equipment required to carry out their important roles both at home and overseas.
Capital funding of €1.7 billion has been allocated to Defence under the National Development Plan for the period 2026-2030. The funding represents an increase of €600 million or 55% on the previous baseline figure of €1.1 billion.
I am satisfied that the ongoing programme of prioritised sustained investment in upgrading and enhancing Air Corps capabilities will ensure that the Defence Forces continue to be suitably equipped to fulfil all roles assigned by Government.
