Ken O'Flynn
Question:
34. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the current status of the Air Corps fleet, specifying each aircraft by type, age, current operational status, and primary assigned role; the total flying hours recorded by the Air Corps in each of the years 2019 to 2025 inclusive; whether any aircraft type currently operated by the Air Corps has been identified for replacement and if so the timeline and estimated cost of that replacement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17578/26]
View answer
I wish to advise the Deputy that a deferred reply will be issued to him in respect of this Parliamentary Question, in line with Standing Order 51.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Orders.
I refer to your recent Parliamentary Question on Tuesday, 04 March 2026 requestingthe current status of the Air Corps fleet, specifying each aircraft by type, age, current operational status, and primary assigned role; the total flying hours recorded by the Air Corps in each of the years 2019 to 2025 inclusive; whether any aircraft type currently operated by the Air Corps has been identified for replacement and if so the timeline and estimated cost of that replacement.
My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Air Corps, Army, and Naval Service is maintained and further enhanced. 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. There has been significant investment in recent years in the air domain.
Currently the Air Corps have twenty eight (28) aircraft in service comprised of eighteen (18) fixed wing and ten (10) rotary wing aircraft. Further information regarding their type, age, current operational status, primary assigned role and any proposed replacement is detailed below;
Fixed Wing (18)
• Two (2) Airbus C-295 (MPA) Maritime Patrol Aircraft which entered service in 2024. These aircraft are equipped for Maritime Surveillance, Search and Rescue, Logistics (Cargo/Personnel/VIP), Special Operations Forces Operations, MEDEVAC/CASEVAC/Air Ambulance roles and Utility roles.
• One (1) Airbus C-295 (MTA) Military Transport Aircraft which was delivered in October 2025. and provides a dedicated asset to support the Defence Forces military airlift transport requirements and provide a wide contingent capability. The aircraft enables the Air Corps to provide a wide range of services including logistics support and transport of troops and equipment, medical evacuation and air ambulance, Special Operations Forces operations and a general utility role.
• One (1) Learjet 45, which entered service in 2004. The aircraft is no longer in operational use.
• Four (4) Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, which entered service in 2020. Their primary function is Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), they also function in air ambulance and transport roles as required.
• One (1) De Havilland Twin Otter which entered service in 2025. This aircraft is operated in conjunction with An Garda Síochána as a Garda Air Support Unit aircraft.
• One (1) Dassault Falcon 6 X a mid-sized jet aircraft, which entered into operational service in March 2026. It provides State transport, airlift and medical evacuation capabilities
• Eight (8) Pilatus PC-9M aircraft which entered service in 2004. Their primary function is pilot training.
The replacement of the Pilatus PC-9M fleet is included in the Defence Sectoral National Development Plan 2026 - 2030, in which capital funding of €1.7 billion was allocated to Defence for the period 2026-2030.
Rotary Wing (10)
• Six (6) Augusta Westland AW139 aircraft. The AW 139s entered service in 2006 and their primary functions are as army/naval support and air ambulance including the Emergency Aeromedical Service. These aircraft can also function in the roles of aerial fire-fighting, cargo-slinging and transport.
The replacement of the AW139 fleet with a fleet of eight (8) Super-Medium Helicopters was recommended by the Commission on Defence Forces and is included in recently updated Detailed Implementation Plan and work on this project is ongoing with planned completion post 2028.
• Two (2) Eurocopter EC135P2 aircraft which entered service in 2005. Their primary functions are helicopter pilot training and army support, they may also function in the roles of air ambulance and transport as required.
These aircraft have been identified for replacement. In December 2024 a €91.7 million contract for four H145Ms was awarded to Airbus Helicopters UK with phased delivery expected to begin in Q1 2027. The H145Ms will be equipped to satisfy a wide range of missions including maritime security missions, utility missions, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) and light attack missions. As well as enhancing the Defence Forces current ISTAR capabilities the aircraft will provide broader support across the Defence Forces training and operations.
• Two (2) Eurocopter EC135T2. These aircraft entered service in 2003 and are operated in conjunction with An Garda Síochána as a Garda Air Support Unit aircraft.
An Garda Síochána have contracted to replace these aircraft with (2) Airbus H145 aircraft which are scheduled to go in to service in 2026.
The total flying hours recorded by the Air Corps in each of the years 2019 to 2025 inclusive is set out in the table below
|
YEAR
|
Total Flying Hours
|
|
2019
|
4082Hrs 31mins
|
|
2020
|
6561Hrs 47mins
|
|
2021
|
6213Hrs 14mins
|
|
2022
|
5412Hrs 34mins
|
|
2023
|
4980Hrs 52mins
|
|
2024
|
4507Hrs 13mins
|
|
2025
|
6104Hrs 17mins
|
