Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 May 2005
150 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Defence if he is proceeding with a significant helicopter fleet replacement programme which has been approved by Cabinet and put in place for the Air Corps, which helicopters, while being purchased for troop carrying capacity, are expected to have a specific air ambulance capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17789/05]
View answerFollowing a tender competition, two contracts have been signed for the provision of new helicopters for the Air Corps, at a total cost of over €61million. Four utility AB 139 helicopters are being acquired from the Bell Agusta Aerospace Company at a cost of €48.4 million, inclusive of VAT. The four helicopters will be built at the Agusta facility near Milan, Italy. Two AB 139s will be delivered in 2006 and the other two will be delivered in 2007.
The four AB 139 helicopters will be operated by the Air Corps in a general purpose military operational and training role. Primary taskings for the utility helicopter will include training and operations with special forces, security and aid to the civil power, military exercises, infantry interoperability training and limited troop transport. They will also be used to perform air ambulance, inland search and rescue, aid to the civil community and VIP transport tasks.
Two light utility EC 135 helicopters are being acquired from Eurocopter SAS at a cost of €12.8 million, inclusive of VAT. The two helicopters will be built at Eurocopter's facility in Donauworth, Germany. Both EC 135s are scheduled to be delivered in the latter part of this year. The two light utility helicopters will be operated by the Air Corps primarily in the military pilot and air crew training role. Primary taskings for the helicopters will include pilot training, instructor training and instrument flight training.
Both of the new helicopter types will have the capacity of being configured for the air ambulance role and an air ambulance kit is part of the additional equipment ordered with the helicopters. Both kits will be fully certified for airborne use and will enable the transfer of one patient along with up to two medical personnel in the helicopter cabin. Both systems will incorporate basic medical facilities such as electrical power, oxygen supply and suction.
The provision of an air ambulance service by the Air Corps is on an "as is" basis. The level of service offered reflects the multi-purpose role of the Air Corps. The service provided, limited as it is, is well regarded by those who use it and who understand the nature of the service. The current arrangements for the provision of the service are in the process of being formalised between my Department and the Department of Health and Children. A detailed service level agreement is currently being finalised setting out the details of the specific capabilities which the Air Corps will provide in the area.
