Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2024
144. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the average lifespan remaining of each of the military aircraft within the Air Corps that have been in the Air Corps fleet over 20 years, in tabular form [31692/24]
View answerMy 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 (including replacement capabilities as they near end of life) for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) processes.
Capital investment in aircraft continues with the placing of a contract with Airbus at a cost of €72 million, including VAT, for a military transport aircraft for the Defence Forces. The Airbus C295W aircraft is highly versatile and will provide a dedicated asset to support the Defence Forces military airlift transport requirements and provide a wide contingent capability. The aircraft will enable 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. Delivery of this aircraft is expected in 2025.
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.
There are five aircraft types in the fleet which are over 20 years old, as set out below;
Lear 45: The Learjet remains in service and available for operations. A competition has recently been launched for the purchase of a replacement Ministerial Air Transport Service aircraft, to be procured under the Defence and Security Directive 81/2009 and in compliance with the Public Spending Code, which will also be used for a broader range of tasks. These include the non-combatant 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 sensitive material/resupplies to Irish Defence Forces overseas missions.
Britten Norman Defender BN2T4S: This aircraft belongs to An Garda Síochána. A new twin engine aircraft has recently been purchased to replace the Defender. This is due for delivery in 2025.
PC 9 fleet (x8): The replacement of these aircraft is included in the Defences Forces Equipment Development Plan (EDP). At present there is no target date for the disposal of these aircraft nor is there any mechanical end of life date for operating these airframes.
EC 135 x 2 (An Garda Síochána): Both of these aircraft belong to AGS. Only one of the two AGS EC135 helicopters fall into this category (20+ years old). There is currently a process underway to replace these aircraft. At present there is no target date for the disposal of these aircraft nor is there any mechanical end of life date for operating these airframes.
CN 235 Casa: These aircraft have been replaced by two Airbus C-295 Marine Patrol Aircraft which were delivered in 2023, are no longer in active service and are currently being offered for sale.
