Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 November 2016
45. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to enhance the Air Corps capability by upgrading or replacing the current fleet of PC9s with jet aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33799/16]
View answerMy priority as Minister with Special Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces, including the availability of specialised equipment for the Air Corps, is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government as set out on the White Paper on Defence.
In respect of the Air Corps, the principal aim over the lifetime of the White Paper will be to ensure that the Air Corps can continue to undertake the required military operations and to deliver a broad range of air supports to other Government Departments and agencies in line with Memoranda of Understanding and Service Level Agreements.
The future equipment priorities for the Air Corps are set out in the White Paper, which recognises that there are several new and or enhanced platforms to be procured for the Air Corps. Future capability requirements for the Air Corps are being considered as part of the rigorous capability development and equipment planning priorities process as envisaged in the White Paper. This will define ongoing and future equipment priorities having regard to the evolving security environment and available funding.
In the context of the Air Corps fleet, this will include the replacement of the Cessna fleet with three larger aircraft suitably equipped for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance tasks. The preparatory work for the tender competition has begun within the Defence organisation, and it is expected that the competition will be initiated by the end of this year.
There are no current plans, however, to upgrade or replace the current fleet of PC-9M aircraft purchased in 2004. The fleet of PC-9 aircraft is expected to fall due for replacement in 2025. The Pilatus PC 9 aircraft were obtained as trainer aircraft for the purpose of training pilots in the Air Corps. They are capable of being armed and as such have a limited defensive capability. However, these limitations were noted in the White Paper on Defence and the development of a more capable combat/intercept capability is to be considered in due course as part of the White Paper review process.
It should be noted that a decision was made recently to replace a PC-9M aircraft which was written off following a fatal crash in 2009. The replacement PC-9M aircraft scheduled for delivery next year from Pilatus Aircraft in Switzerland at a cost of €5m plus VAT will bring the fleet up to 8 and will assist in a required increase in pilot training in the Air Corps.
