Additional C-295 Transport Aircraft for Ireland

The original contract was for two replacement Casa C-235 maritime patrol planes for the Air Corps, which are set to arrive soon and will be used for patrolling the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone and monitoring fishing and other ship movements. The Irish Air Corps had also been evaluating the purchase of additional C-295 planes for general transport duties as of June 2022.

the decision to fast-track the tendering process with an amendment followed discussions about the need to make progress on one of the key recommendations from the Commission on the Defence Forces.

A source stated that the decision to go with the C295 cargo variant means that Air Corps pilots will not need extensive training to “convert” their qualifications for flying the aircraft.

The final decision was reportedly made under the new Irish Minister for Defence, and the government is said to have been eager to finalise the procurement before the end of 2022, with an amendment made to an existing tender with Airbus. The issue of Ireland’s lack of large military transport planes was brought to light following the mission to rescue Irish citizens in Kabul in 2021.

ukdefencejournal