John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will report on the signing of contracts for four Air Corps helicopters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1517/05]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Defence the cost accruing to the State from the purchase of two light EC-135 helicopters and four AB139 models from companies (details supplied); the type of operations these craft will be involved in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1499/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 120 together.

Following a tender competition, two contracts have been signed for the provision of new helicopters for the Air Corps, at a total cost of over €61 million.

Four utility AB139 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 AB139s will be delivered in 2006 and the other two will be delivered in 2007.

The four AB139 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 S.A.S. 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 new helicopters will provide a very significant boost to the Army and the Air Corps. The purchase of the helicopters is another positive indication of the Government's commitment to ensure that all branches of the Defence Forces are fully equipped to carry out their roles at home and overseas.