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DON LAVERY
EXCLUSIVE
The Department of Defence has given the thumbs down to acquiring a transport aircraft for @IrishAirCorps .
EXCLUSIVE
The Department of Defence has given the thumbs down to acquiring a transport aircraft for @IrishAirCorps .
The lack of a transport aircraft was highlighted by then Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar in May who described it as a "real weakness" for the country.
He said the arrangement of using commercial aircraft or military planes from other nations was "suboptimal".
He said the arrangement of using commercial aircraft or military planes from other nations was "suboptimal".
He confirmed he had raised it with @DF_COS Vice Admiral Mark Mellett.
Mr Varadkar suggested that given that there were so many aeroplanes on the ground during the pandemic it might be an opportunity to purchase one to allow us to get troops back and forth from Lebanon.
Mr Varadkar suggested that given that there were so many aeroplanes on the ground during the pandemic it might be an opportunity to purchase one to allow us to get troops back and forth from Lebanon.
However, in response to a series of questions put by this reporter to @IRLDeptDefence , it has responded by saying no decision have been made for the acquisition of additional aircraft in other roles.
A statement pointed to the "immediate priorities in relation to air based capability remain the acquisition of 3 PC-12 aircraft for ISTAR and 2 CN-295 MPA - at a cost of €265m including VAT".
It referred to the Equipment Development Plan published in June, and covered extensively here.
"While the option of acquiring a wider military lift capability has been mentioned, it was not identified as an action in the present EDP".
"While the option of acquiring a wider military lift capability has been mentioned, it was not identified as an action in the present EDP".
"Much of the longer range capability is provided by way of chartering aircraft through a competitive procurement process on an as required basis.
" To date this has been considered to be the most cost effective approach".
" To date this has been considered to be the most cost effective approach".
The statement added:"This takes account of the acquisition, running and maintenance costs of larger aircraft in the context of their expected usage and contingency requirements".
"The overall priorities in the EDP will remain under review as it is progressively implemented and taking account of funding availability".
So essentially the thinking in @IRLDeptDefence is the same as it was 20 years ago.
So essentially the thinking in @IRLDeptDefence is the same as it was 20 years ago.
Ireland is to remain the only EU country without a dedicated transport aircraft.
In 1999 an Air Corps request for a C-130 aircraft was turned down.
A plan to acquire an Airbus ACJ/ Boeing BBJ also came to nought.
The only long range aircraft flown, the G-IV, wasn't replaced.
In 1999 an Air Corps request for a C-130 aircraft was turned down.
A plan to acquire an Airbus ACJ/ Boeing BBJ also came to nought.
The only long range aircraft flown, the G-IV, wasn't replaced.
During the pandemic, Ireland's elite Special Forces, the ARW, had to hitch a ride on a Luftwaffe aircraft to get them home from Mali.
A PC-12 aircraft was bought for €5.2m during the pandemic to try to fill the transport shortfall.
A PC-12 aircraft was bought for €5.2m during the pandemic to try to fill the transport shortfall.
