Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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342. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the rationale for purchasing four H145M helicopters; whether any missiles have been bought for these helicopters; whether there is any plan to buy any missiles for these helicopters; and if so, which type of missiles and from which company. [23613/25]

Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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344. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to provide an overview on the recent acquisition of Airbus H145M helicopters and the capabilities he expects them to provide to the Defence Forces. [23731/25]

Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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345. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the extent of Israeli designed or produced military technology included in the recently purchased Airbus H145M helicopters, and if these helicopters have the capability to use the Israeli-made Spike anti-tank guided missile. [23732/25]

Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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346. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department has examined the possibility of using Spike anti-tank guided missiles on the recently purchased Airbus H145M helicopters, and if he has plans to acquire these missiles. [23733/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 342, 344, 345 and 346 together.

In December 2024 the Department of Defence signed a contract for the delivery of four German-made Airbus H145M helicopters which will provide a modern light-utility helicopter capability for the Air Corps. They will replace the present ageing fleet of two EC-135s, which have reached the end of their useful service life.

These light utility helicopters represent an enhancement of the Air Corps Pilot Training capabilities. They will also provide an enhancement of the intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISTAR), light combat, and operational support capabilities of the Defence Forces.

While the Department does not comment on systems fitted to Air Corps aircraft for operational reasons, the H145 rotary wing aircraft comes fitted with the Helionix Avionics Suite, an avionics solution which is proprietary to Airbus. Avionics systems are fitted on all modern civil and military aircraft to assist pilots to fly the aircraft safely and are not military specific.

No missile capability is included in the contract to procure the four aircraft, but the aircraft are future proofed to further capability should such a decision be made.