I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29 and 30 together.
My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps 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 Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) processes.
The capital funding of €1.7 billion allocated to Defence in the latest National Development Plan covering the period 2026 to 2030 represents an increase of €600 million on the previous baseline of €1.1 billion. The revised capital allocations will enable targeted progression on key elements of Government commitments within Level of Ambition 2 objectives.
Ongoing planning for the acquisition of military equipment is conducted through the utilisation of the Defence Equipment Development Plan, which is a rolling plan, considered through joint civil-military co-operation, and provides a consolidated, structured basis for ongoing investment in military equipment to develop and maintain necessary capabilities. This work is progressed under the guidance of the Strategic Framework for the Transformation of the Defence Forces, which was published in February 2026, the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF) and the updated Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
In relation to the air domain and specifically strategic reach, the CoDF recommended the following: “Enhancement of the Air Corps’ fleet with the addition of a fixed wing aircraft with strategic reach capability”.
The Dassault Falcon 6X is a next generation strategic reach aircraft which will enhance the State’s transport, airlift and medical evacuation capabilities, with a range of over 5000 nautical miles meaning it can reach the west coast of the United States without the need to refuel. The aircraft replaces the Learjet 45 operated by the Air Corps for over 20 years, which seated 7 passengers, as opposed to the 14 passengers which the Falcon 6X can carry.
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.
In 2023/ 2024 an open competition with multiple bidders was conducted under the procedures as set out in the Defence and Security Directive 81/2009/EC, and in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. Following this a contract was awarded to Dassault Aviation S.A., a French company, for the provision of the Falcon 6X strategic reach aircraft.
A Civil Military Project Team comprising Officials from my Department and the Air Corps delivered this project, with legal support being provided by the Office of the Chief State Solicitor.
The award of the contract followed a robust analysis of the options that met the identified capability requirement, as specified by the Public Spending Code. This analysis considered operational requirements, including seating. The new aircraft will provide the independent and flexible strategic reach air transport service which is an increasingly essential requirement to assist the Government in meeting its national and international obligations.
The commercial information of unsuccessful tenderers is protected both by public procurement law and the Freedom of Information Act, and I am not in a position to disclose such information.
Operational costs concerning the operation of the strategic reach aircraft is publicly available on the Department's website, where it is updated on a monthly basis: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/e8132-routinely-published-information/#ministerial-air-transport-service-mats.
The total cost of the Falcon 6X aircraft procurement was just below €53 million excluding VAT. The delivery of the Dassault Falcon 6X strategic reach aircraft represents a significant enhancement of the State’s transport, airlift and medical capabilities, and is further evidence of the Government’s ongoing commitment to enhance the capabilities of the Defence Forces.
In addition to the acquisition of the Falcon 6X strategic reach aircraft, capital investment in aircraft has included in recent years; two new Airbus C-295W Maritime Patrol Aircraft delivered in 2023; one new Airbus C-295M in Military Transport configuration delivered in October 2025; and four Airbus H145M Light Utility Multi-Role Helicopters, with these aircraft in production for phased delivery in 2027 and 2028.
I am satisfied that the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps have the necessary modern and effective range of equipment available to them which is in line with best international standards in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government.
