Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
196. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the acquisition of the four Airbus H145 helicopters is intended by the Department to satisfy, replace, defer, or partially fulfil the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces relating to medium-lift helicopter capability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36008/26]
View answer197. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether alternative rotary-wing aircraft platforms, including lower-cost light utility helicopter configurations, were evaluated during the procurement process for the four Airbus H145 helicopters; whether comparative operational, training, maintenance, lifecycle, and value-for-money assessments were conducted between aircraft categories; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36014/26]
View answer198. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the primary operational rationale underpinning the selection of the Airbus H145 platform for the Air Corps; whether the procurement was principally intended to address pilot training, utility transport, air ambulance support, tactical deployment, maritime support, or multi-role operational capability requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36015/26]
View answer199. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether a cost-benefit analysis was conducted comparing the acquisition of a smaller number of higher-capability helicopters versus a larger number of lower-cost rotary-wing aircraft for Air Corps operational and training requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36016/26]
View answer200. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Department conducted a formal operational requirements analysis prior to the acquisition of the Airbus H145 helicopters for the Air Corps; whether alternative aircraft categories or configurations were assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36212/26]
View answer201. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the lifecycle operating costs, maintenance costs, and projected service-life costs associated with the Airbus H145 helicopters were independently assessed prior to procurement approval; whether comparative modelling was undertaken against alternative rotary-wing platforms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36213/26]
View answer202. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Government considered the acquisition of a larger number of lower-cost helicopters in place of a smaller number of higher-capability aircraft for pilot training, utility support, and general Air Corps operational requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36214/26]
View answer203. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the acquisition of the Airbus H145 helicopters forms part of a wider long-term rotary-wing fleet modernisation strategy for the Air Corps; whether additional helicopter acquisitions remain planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36215/26]
View answer204. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether her Department has conducted any assessment of the strategic implications arising from dependence upon foreign-origin mission systems, avionics, software, or specialist operational components in relation to the Airbus H145 fleet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36216/26]
View answer205. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Airbus H145 helicopters procured for the Air Corps are intended solely for pilot training and utility support purposes, or whether the aircraft are also intended for operational, tactical, security, force-protection, or armed support roles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36217/26]
View answer206. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any weapons systems, weapons mounts, weapons integration capability, force-protection systems, or armed operational configurations have been procured, approved, planned, or considered in connection with the Airbus H145 helicopters acquired for the Air Corps; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36218/26]
View answer207. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether Cabinet approval was specifically sought in relation to any armed operational capability, weapons integration capability, or tactical mission configuration associated with the Airbus H145 helicopters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36219/26]
View answer208. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether her Department has developed an operational doctrine, mission profile framework, or strategic capability assessment relating to the intended operational use of the Airbus H145 helicopters within the Air Corps; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36220/26]
View answer209. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Airbus H145 helicopters acquired for the Air Corps are capable of being configured for armed operations, tactical deployment, counter-terrorism support, force protection, or special operations support; whether such capabilities formed part of the procurement assessment process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36221/26]
View answer210. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any review has been conducted into the consistency of current State aviation procurement policy across the Defence Forces, Air Corps, and Garda Air Support Unit, including procurement standards, certification arrangements, operational oversight, and compliance with stated Government procurement policies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36226/26]
View answer211. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Department of Defence or Air Corps will assume responsibility for airworthiness oversight, operational certification, or regulatory assurance relating to the Airbus H145 helicopters procured for use by the Garda Air Support Unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36229/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 196 to 211, inclusive, together.
A contract is in place for the delivery of four aircraft to provide a modern training and light-utility helicopter capability for the Air Corps. The procurement was conducted in accordance with EU Defence and Security procurement legislation, the Public Spending Code and the Infrastructure Guidelines, and was underpinned by legal advice from the Attorney General.
The four Airbus H145M helicopters will replace the ageing EC-135 fleet, which has reached the end of its useful service life. The total capital value of the contract is €91.7 million, exclusive of VAT.
The decision to procure the H145M followed a comprehensive Strategic Assessment Review, Preliminary Business Case and Final Business Case process, as required under the Public Spending Code. This process included a detailed operational requirements analysis and an options assessment examining how identified capability requirements could best be met in a sustainable and value-for-money manner. This assessment considered pilot training requirements, operational roles, interoperability, fleet resilience, and projected lifecycle operating, maintenance and service-life costs.
The CoDF Report recommended that, within the scope of LOA2, two additional medium lift rotary wing aircraft (AW-139) should be acquired, increasing the current medium lift fleet to eight helicopters. However, the Commission also stated that:
“in making these recommendations the Commission acknowledges that future defence planners may, in their detailed analysis, assess that the same effect can be delivered by different methods and as such the specific equipment recommendations outlined are intended to be indicative rather than prescriptive once the recommended capability requirement is met.”
In this instance, the Department and the Defence Forces examined whether the capability identified in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces could best be delivered through the acquisition of additional medium-lift helicopters or through the procurement of a greater number of modern military light-utility helicopters. In this context, analysis was undertaken on whether resources that might otherwise have been allocated to the acquisition of two additional AW-139 aircraft could more effectively be invested in procuring four H145M light-utility helicopters. The H145M aircraft was assessed as providing enhanced flexibility across training, utility transport, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, maritime support and general operational taskings.
The acquisition of the H145M helicopters forms part of a wider programme of rotary-wing fleet modernisation. Work is also underway, in accordance with the Infrastructure Guidelines and the recommendation within the CoDF Report and the updated Detailed Implementation Plan to assess the future Super Medium Lift helicopter capability and progress the project to replace the current AW-139 fleet medium lift capability.
The H145M is a military-configured aircraft intended to support a range of military roles consistent with Government policy and the operational taskings of the Defence Forces. The procurement contract includes approved weapon mounts and associated munitions, providing the aircraft with an enhanced force-protection and defensive capability. These elements were considered as part of the overall procurement approval process and no separate or specific Cabinet decision was required in respect of weapons integration or armed configuration. The aircraft are also equipped with defensive aide systems designed to enhance survivability. Any operational deployment of such capabilities is a matter for the military authorities and is subject to Government policy and appropriate oversight arrangements.
The Department also had regard, as part of normal Defence procurement governance, to issues relating to reliance on foreign-origin mission systems, avionics, software and specialist components. Ireland does not possess a large domestic defence aerospace industry and it is therefore necessary that Defence Forces equipment platforms are procured from international suppliers. In this context, procurement arrangements include appropriate contractual, logistical safeguards to support assured supply, sustainability and operational resilience.
In relation to Garda aviation, I am advised that An Garda Síochána acquired two Airbus H145 helicopters for operation by the Garda Air Support Unit. While these aircraft are the property of the Garda Commissioner and procurement oversight rests with the Department of Justice, they are operated on the Military Aviation Register by Air Corps personnel. Airworthiness oversight and operational certification for such aircraft are exercised through established Air Corps Military Aviation Regulatory arrangements. The Air Corps and An Garda Síochána operate within their own statutory, regulatory and governance framework. All relevant public bodies remain subject to national and EU public procurement rules and Government policy on value for money, transparency and accountability.
I am satisfied that the procurement of the Airbus H145M helicopters forms part of an ongoing programme to modernise and enhance the operational capabilities of the Air Corps, and to support the Defence Forces in carrying out the roles as assigned by Government.
