Written answers
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
Department of Defence
Defence Forces Equipment
9:00 pm
Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of helicopters owned by the Air Corps with details of their age and condition. [9741/09]
Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Defence owns and manages six Augusta Westland AW139 Helicopters and two Eurocopter EC135 P2 Helicopters. These helicopters are operated by the Air Corps for the Defence Forces.
The helicopters were delivered, from the manufacturer, to the Air Corps on the following dates:
| Air Corps Tail No. | Manufacturer & Type | Delivery Date |
| 270 | Eurocopter/EC 135 P2 | 03/11/05 |
| 271 | Eurocopter/EC 135 P2 | 03/11/05 |
| 274 | AW 139 | 11/08/06 |
| 275 | AW 139 | 11/08/06 |
| 276 | AW 139 | 20/04/07 |
| 277 | AW 139 | 29/05/07 |
| 278 | AW 139 | 17/07/08 |
| 279 | AW 139 | 15/11/08 |
These helicopters are maintained to manufacturer's specification and are maintained according to a planned maintenance schedule.
The Air Corps is currently in possession of eight decommissioned Alouette III Helicopters. These helicopters were retired after over 40 years service and are no longer operated by the Air Corps. One Alouette III Helicopter is being used as an instructional airframe in the Air Corps Apprentice School. Of the remaining seven, one is being sent to the Ulster Aviation Museum and the remaining six are the subject of a tender process for their disposal.
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