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Defence Forces Equipment.
176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number and category of aircraft available to the air corps; the extent to which training, equipment and technology is comparable to that of other such forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16088/10]
Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen): There are a total of 27 aircraft in operational service with the Air Corps at present, comprising 10 helicopters and 17 fixed wing aircraft. The types of the aircraft are set out in the following tabular statement, which will be circulated with the Official Report.
As the Deputy is aware, a very significant level of investment in new equipment for the Air Corps has taken place in recent years. The comprehensive investment programme included the delivery of the Pilatus training aircraft at a total cost of €60m, the acquisition of two light utility EC 135 helicopters from Eurocopter S.A.S. at a cost of €12.8m, the acquisition of six utility AW 139 helicopters from Agusta Westland, Italy at a cost of €75m and a major mid life upgrade on the two CASA maritime patrol aircraft at a cost of €16.5m.
On the issue of Air Corps training and technology, I am satisfied that Air Corps training techniques and the technologies involved are up to date in all respects. The Air Corps training plan is structured to provide the capabilities needed to execute the roles assigned to the Air Corps by Government and any comparison with other Air Forces is not relevant.
TYPE OF AIR CORPS AIRCRAFT IN OPERATIONAL SERVICE
Aircraft TypeHelicopters Number in Service
Agusta Westland - AW 139 6
Eurocopter - EC 135 4*
Aircraft TypeFixed Wing
Cessna 5
Gulfstream IV 1
CASA Maritime Patrol Aircraft 2
Defender* 1
Learjet 1
Pilatus 7
Total 28
* Two from four EC 135s and the Defender fixed-wing aircraft are owned by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform but operated by the Air Corps as part of the Garda Air Support Unit.
176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number and category of aircraft available to the air corps; the extent to which training, equipment and technology is comparable to that of other such forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16088/10]
Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen): There are a total of 27 aircraft in operational service with the Air Corps at present, comprising 10 helicopters and 17 fixed wing aircraft. The types of the aircraft are set out in the following tabular statement, which will be circulated with the Official Report.
As the Deputy is aware, a very significant level of investment in new equipment for the Air Corps has taken place in recent years. The comprehensive investment programme included the delivery of the Pilatus training aircraft at a total cost of €60m, the acquisition of two light utility EC 135 helicopters from Eurocopter S.A.S. at a cost of €12.8m, the acquisition of six utility AW 139 helicopters from Agusta Westland, Italy at a cost of €75m and a major mid life upgrade on the two CASA maritime patrol aircraft at a cost of €16.5m.
On the issue of Air Corps training and technology, I am satisfied that Air Corps training techniques and the technologies involved are up to date in all respects. The Air Corps training plan is structured to provide the capabilities needed to execute the roles assigned to the Air Corps by Government and any comparison with other Air Forces is not relevant.
TYPE OF AIR CORPS AIRCRAFT IN OPERATIONAL SERVICE
Aircraft TypeHelicopters Number in Service
Agusta Westland - AW 139 6
Eurocopter - EC 135 4*
Aircraft TypeFixed Wing
Cessna 5
Gulfstream IV 1
CASA Maritime Patrol Aircraft 2
Defender* 1
Learjet 1
Pilatus 7
Total 28
* Two from four EC 135s and the Defender fixed-wing aircraft are owned by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform but operated by the Air Corps as part of the Garda Air Support Unit.
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