Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

187. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an update on the medium lift helicopter replacement programme. [49027/25]

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.

In terms of recent rotary acquisitions, it is notable that in December 2024 the Department of Defence signed a contract for the delivery of four Airbus H145M helicopters which will provide a modern light-utility helicopter capability for the Air Corps. They will replace the present 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 modernisation and expansion of light-utility helicopter capability for the Air Corps. 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.