Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 58: To ask the Minister for Defence the average age of both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters that make up the Air Corps fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32271/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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There are a total of 30 aircraft in service with the Air Corps at present, comprising 11 helicopters and 19 fixed wing aircraft. The type and age of the aircraft is set out in the attached tabular statement, which will be circulated with the Official Report.

In addition to the aircraft listed on the schedule, four utility AW 139 helicopters are being acquired from Agusta S.p.A. at a cost of €48.4m, inclusive of VAT. The four helicopters are being built at the Agusta facility near Milan, Italy. Two AW 139s will be delivered in November 2006 — the first helicopter has been handed over and is currently involved in Air Corps pilot training in Italy. The other two AW 139 helicopters will be delivered in 2007.

The four AW 139 helicopters will be operated by the Air Corps in a general purpose military operational and training role.