Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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222. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of crew and passengers the Defence Forces new Airbus C295W can carry as opposed to the older CASA CN235 maritime patrol aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9212/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that the new C295W to be delivered later this year will be able to carry up to 62 troops for short flights or 48 in airline-style seating for longer journeys with a crew of two pilots.

The Casa CN235 aircraft provided a more limited transport function, carrying up to 19 personnel on short-range flights, with a crew of two pilots.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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223. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when he expects the new C295W military transport aircraft to come into Air Corps fleet. [9579/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In December 2022, a contract was awarded to Airbus Defence and Space for an additional C-295 aircraft. This is a dedicated Military Transport (C295M) variant.

The principal role of the aircraft is for air transport missions. It 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.

The aircraft is scheduled for delivery in September 2025.