Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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6. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the new aircraft have come into the Air Corps fleet; and when these aircraft will be ready for operational duties. [50646/25]

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 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. This aircraft is in production and is scheduled for delivery in October 2025, with operationalisation shortly thereafter.
• One new Dassault Falcon 6X Strategic Reach Aircraft - a contract was awarded in December 2024. This aircraft is in production and is scheduled for delivery in December 2025, with operationalisation shortly thereafter.
• Four Airbus H145M Light Utility Multi-Role Helicopters, with these aircraft in production for phased delivery in 2027 and 2028.