Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

270. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if there are plans to replace the Pilatus PC-9M aircraft within the Air Corps in 2025. [29186/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities (including replacement capabilities as they near end of life) for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) processes.

Capital investment in aircraft continues with the placing of the following contracts in recent years:

• Two new Airbus C-295 in Maritime Patrol Aircraft delivered in 2023.
• One new Airbus C-295 in a Military Transport configuration, aircraft is in production and delivery is scheduled for Q4 2025.
• One new Dassault Falcon 6X Strategic Reach Aircraft, contract awarded in December 2024 with aircraft in production and delivery scheduled for Q4 2025.
• Four Airbus H145M Light Utility Multi-Role Helicopters, with aircraft in production for phased delivery in 2027 and 2028.

I am satisfied that the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps have the necessary modern and effective range of equipment available to them which is in line with best international standards in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

271. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if there are plans on having the Siborsky SH-3 Sea King type of helicopter within the Air Corps fleet. [29187/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My priority 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.

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.

There are no plans at present to purchase Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King type helicopters for the Air Corps.