Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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A key priority for me as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced in order to ensure that the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government.

Enhancing the physical working environment and equipment for our Defence Personnel is key feature of the recently published Strategic Framework which sets out the immediate actions to be taken to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future.

This includes the implementation of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) recommendations, particularly with regard to the enhancement of Defence Force Capabilities. The Commission's report included a wide range of further recommendations in relation to capabilities and funding.

In response, the Government approved a move to a higher level of ambition, known as ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission. More specifically, capability priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered as part of the capability development planning processes which include both a five-year Equipment Development Plan and a Built Infrastructure Programme. This is an ongoing iterative process. In this context, the principal aim of Government policy is to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements at home and overseas.

There has been significant investment in recent years in the air domain.

Currently the Air Corps have twenty six (26) aircraft in service comprised of sixteen (16) fixed wing and ten (10) rotary wing aircraft.

The fixed wing aircraft are as follows:

• Two (2) Airbus C-295 aircraft which entered service in 2024. These new aircraft, which replace the two existing CN235-100 Maritime Patrol Aircrafts purchased for the Air Corps in 1994, are equipped for Maritime Surveillance, Search and Rescue, Logistics (Cargo/Personnel/VIP), Special Operations Forces Operations, MEDEVAC/CASEVAC/Air Ambulance roles and Utility roles.
• Two (2) CASA CN-235 aircraft, which entered service in 1994. Their primary function has been as Maritime Patrol Aircraft, while also functioning in the secondary roles of air ambulance, logistics support and transport. These aircraft are due for disposal this year, having been replaced by the two (2) Airbus C-295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
• One (1) Learjet 45, which entered service in 2004. It's primary function is a Ministerial Air Transport (MATS) aircraft. The Learjet, also functions in the roles of air ambulance and transport as required.
• Four (4) Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, which entered service in 2020. Their primary function is Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), they also function in air ambulance and transport roles as required.
• Eight (8) Pilatus PC-9M aircraft which entered service in 2004. Their primary function is pilot training.
• One (1) Britten Norman Defender 4000 which entered service in 1997. This aircraft is operated in conjunction with An Garda Síochána as a Garda Air Support Unit aircraft.

The ten (10) rotary wing aircraft are as follows:

• Six (6) Augusta Westland AW139 aircraft. The AW 139s entered service in 2006 and their primary functions are as army/naval support and air ambulance including the Emergency Aeromedical Service. These aircraft can also function in the roles of aerial fire-fighting, cargo-slinging and transport.
• Two (2) Eurocopter EC135P2 aircraft which entered service in 2005. Their primary functions are helicopter pilot training and army support, they may also function in the roles of air ambulance and transport as required.
• Two (2) Eurocopter EC135T2. These aircraft entered service in 2003 and are operated in conjunction with An Garda Síochána as a Garda Air Support Unit aircraft.

In relation to new air-based capability, a contract has been awarded at a cost of €59million, excluding 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 mid 2025.

In addition, a competitive process is underway to acquire a new mid-sized jet aircraft for Ministerial Air Transport. It will replace the present Learjet which has been in service for 19 years and is near its end-of-life. A competitive bidding process has commenced and the intention is that this process will be completed this year.

New rotary wing capabilities are currently being advanced in the context of the Equipment Development Planning process, and to this end, the various work packages under the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces have commenced which will inform future investment decisions.

The Department of Defence has received a capital allocation under the National Development Plan of €566 million over the 2022 to 2025 timeframe. This increase in Capital funding demonstrates the Government’s strong commitment to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern, agile military force, capable of responding to increasingly complex security threats.

This is following Government approval for a move over a six-year period to a level of Defence Forces’ capability equivalent to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on Defence Forces, which will entail funding increases to reach a Defence budget of approximately €1.5 billion (at January 2022 prices) by 2028 through the annual Estimates.

This level of capital funding will allow a programme of sustained equipment replacement and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the Defence White Paper and the Report of the Commission, while building on the significant investment programme over recent years.