Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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175. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that the PC-9M fleet can continue in service beyond its current expected end-of-life in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47815/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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.