Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2005
85 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Defence the improvements to the Air Corps he proposes to make in terms of aircraft over the coming 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6727/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe focus with regard to new aircraft for the Air Corps this year is on the acquisition of helicopters. I previously informed the House that following a comprehensive tender competition, two contracts have now been signed for the provision of new helicopters for the Air Corps, at a total cost of over €61 million. 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 aircrew-training role. Primary taskings for the helicopters will include pilot training, instructor training and instrument flight training.
The acquisition of the helicopters is the second major acquisition of aircraft for the Air Corps in recent years. The delivery of eight Pilatus training aircraft for the Air Corps at a total cost of €60 million was completed during 2004. The delivery of the modern training aircraft in tandem with the delivery of the new helicopters over the next three years has provided a very significant boost to the Air Corps.
