Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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197. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the aircraft owned by the Irish Defence Forces; the year in which each aircraft was manufactured; the year it was purchased by the Defence Forces; the capabilities of each aircraft; the original cost of purchase; and the estimated annual cost of maintenance, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22478/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. Capability equipment requirements are kept under on-going review in the light of present and expected operational needs.

The White Paper on Defence provides for the replacement of the current Air Corps Cessna fleet with three larger aircraft, equipped for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR). Following an open tender competition, a contract was placed with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd in December 2017 and all three aircraft were delivered in September 2020. The total cost of the three aircraft including associated training and ancillary equipment was €43m including VAT. These Fixed Wing Utility Aircraft are operated by the 104 Squadron of the Irish Air Corps and are equipped to carry out Transport, Logistics, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) and MEDEVAC roles.

In March 2020, an additional Pilatus PC-12 NG aircraft was acquired at a cost of €5.2m including VAT. This aircraft was procured to provide the Air Corps with immediate additional fixed wing capacity to meet the unique situation arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. This aircraft is also operated by the 104 Squadron of the Irish Air Corps and is equipped to carry out transport, logistics and MEDEVAC roles.

The Deputy may wish to note that the White Paper also provides for the replacement of the two CASA 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft with consideration of their replacement with larger more capable aircraft, which would enhance maritime surveillance and provide a greater degree of utility for transport and cargo carrying tasks. Following a tender competition a contract was awarded to Airbus Defence and Space in December 2019 for delivery of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft in June and September 2023 at a cost of some €226m including VAT.

Strategic airlift capability was identified and prioritised as a capability for investment following Government approval of the Commission on Defence Report as part of the move to “Level of Ambition 2” capability. A contract was recently awarded to Airbus at a cost of €68 million, including VAT, for the provision of a new Fixed Wing Military Transport Aircraft for the Defence Forces. The Airbus C295W aircraft is highly versatile and will provide a dedicated asset to support the Defence Forces military airlift transport requirements and provide a wide contingent capability. The aircraft will enable the Air Corps to provide a wide range of services including logistics support and transport of troops and equipment, medical evacuation and air ambulance, Special Operations Forces operations and a general utility role. Delivery of this aircraft is expected in 2025.