The Irish government has announced the purchase of four multifunctional Airbus H145M helicopters, under a contract valued at €91.7 million.
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The announcement was made by the Irish Ministry of Defence, marking a significant step toward modernizing the capabilities of the Defence Forces and the GASU Air Police Unit.
Replacing Older Aircraft
The new H145Ms will replace the outdated EC-135 helicopters, which have reached the end of their service life. These aircraft will serve various roles, including pilot training and supporting reconnaissance, surveillance, and light attack operations.
“These helicopters will significantly enhance the Defence Forces’ training programs and improve our reconnaissance and combat capabilities,” stated Defence Minister Michal Martin. He also highlighted other recent investments, such as the delivery of two C295 maritime patrol aircraft over the past 18 months and the expected arrival of a C295 military transport aircraft next year.
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Advanced Capabilities
The Airbus H145 is renowned for its versatility and superior performance. According to Lenny Brown, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in the UK, the model provides enhanced operational capacity and the option for weapon systems integration, if required in the future.
Potential armaments for the H145M include:
– 12.7 mm heavy machine guns;
– 20 mm automatic cannons;
– 70 mm guided and unguided rockets;
– Anti-tank missiles;
– Future integration of air-to-air missiles.
Modernization and New Capabilities
With deliveries set to begin in the first quarter of 2027, these new helicopters will usher in a new era for the Irish Air Corps. In addition to supporting maritime security, surveillance, and ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance) missions, the H145Ms will give Ireland the ability to conduct attack missions — a capability not currently available in the existing fleet, which relies on Pilatus PC-9M training aircraft limited to light armaments.
This acquisition reaffirms the Irish government’s commitment to strengthening its defence capabilities and modernizing its armed forces, ensuring greater security and operational efficiency to address future challenges.
Source: gov.ie / mil.in.ua. This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
