The Department of Defence has signed a deal to buy four new helicopters aimed at boosting the capabilities of the Air Corps.
The light-utility helicopters will be used for pilot training to support Defence Forces operations and the Garda Air Support Unit.
The contract has been awarded to Airbus Helicopters UK Limited at a cost of €91.7m plus VAT and its anticipated delivery of the new Airbus H145M helicopters will begin in early 2027.
Earlier this month, the Department of Defence announced it had signed a deal to buy a new long-range Government jet.
The French-made Falcon 6X has an expected delivery date of December 2025, at a cost of around €53m plus VAT.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence said the helicopters “will not only significantly boost the capacity of the Defence Forces pilot training programmes, but also enhance intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and light combat capabilities of our Air Corps.”
Micheál Martin said “This investment is further evidence of the government’s commitment to enhancing our Air Corps, illustrated by the delivery of two C295 maritime patrol aircraft over the last eighteen months, and the expected delivery of a C295 military transport aircraft next year.”
“These significant additions to the Air Corps’ capability will also be complemented by the acquisition of the new Falcon 6X multi-purpose strategic reach aircraft, the contract for which was signed earlier this month,” Mr Martin added.
The Department of Defence said the new Airbus helicopters will represent a vast modernisation and expansion of the Air Corps’ light-utility helicopter capability.
The H145Ms will be “equipped to satisfy a wide range of missions including maritime security missions, utility missions, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) and light attack missions.”
It is anticipated the helicopters will “greatly improve the operational support provided to Special Operations Forces – the Army Ranger Wing – as well as providing broader support across the Defence Forces training and operations.”
The department said the present ageing EC-135 helicopters, being used by the Air Corps, have reached the end of their useful service life.
The Defence Forces Chief of Staff said the procurement of the Airbus H145M helicopters is “another important step on the journey of transformative change of our Defence Forces.”
Lieutenant General Seán Clancy said “The new light multi-role helicopters, proven in their service in other militaries, will not only enhance the Irish Air Corps rotary capability but will also serve as a critical enabler to the Army, Naval Service and Special Operations Forces.”
