Seán Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Defence when the new AB139 helicopters will come into service; the total cost of these helicopters; the duties they will perform; if the contract will be executed on time and on budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8528/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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A total of six utility AW 139 helicopters are being acquired from Agusta S.p.A. at a cost of €75m, inclusive of VAT. The six helicopters are being built at the Agusta facility near Milan, Italy. Two AW 139s were delivered in November 2006, two will be delivered in the first half of 2007 and the final two will be delivered in 2008. Payments for the helicopters are spread over a number of years from 2004 to 2008. The contracts will be executed on time and on budget.

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

The first two helicopters are expected to enter operational service at the beginning of April, 2007.