Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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23. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence whether he has ruled out acquiring Israeli-built Spike anti-tank guided missiles for use on the recently purchased Airbus H145M helicopters. [26106/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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. The value of the contract is €91.7 million ex. VAT and it is anticipated that delivery of the helicopters will begin on a phased basis in Q1 2027.

The Airbus H145Ms represent a vast modernisation and expansion of light-utility helicopter capability for the Air Corps over the present ageing EC-135s, which have reached the end of their useful service life.

Their multi-role capability mean that the H145Ms will be equipped to satisfy a wide range of missions including maritime security missions, utility missions, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) and light attack missions.

As well as enhancing the Defence Forces current ISTAR capabilities, the aircraft also provide enhanced Electro-Optical and Thermal Imagery features not available in the current Rotary Wing fleet.

They will greatly improve the operational support provided to Special Operations Forces – the Army Ranger Wing - as well as providing broader support and utility across the Defence Forces training and operations.

No missile capability is included in the contract to procure the four aircraft. However, the aircraft are ‘future-proofed’ and capable of being upgraded to becoming missile-capable in the future. Future missile capability is one of the elements considered within the enhanced Defence Forces capability ‘Level of Ambition 3 (LOA3)’, as defined within the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF).

Specifically in relation to the procurement of Israeli military technology I can confirm that there is currently no intention to purchase military equipment from Israel. Since the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion of 19 July 2024 the Department has included provisions in its tender documentation regarding the right to reject offers from third countries, which includes Israel, on defence and security grounds, in line with the Commission guidance on the procurement of defensive equipment under Directive 2009/18/EU.