An Airbus Helicopter H145M seen at the company's Marignane facility in France earlier in 2024. Ireland has signed for four such helicopters to be delivered from early 2027. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)
The Republic of Ireland has acquired four Airbus Helicopters H145M light-medium rotorcraft for EUR91.7 million (USD95.4 million).
Announced by Tánaiste (deputy prime minister) and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin on 30 December, the deal will see the helicopters delivered with equipment for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and light attack duties. They will also be used for Irish Naval Service, Army Ranger Wing (special forces), and Garda (police) support.
“These helicopters will not only significantly boost the capacity of the [Irish] Defence Forces' pilot training programmes, but also enhance intelligence, surveillance, [and] reconnaissance and light combat capabilities of [the Irish] Air Corps,” Martin said. He added that the four H145Ms will replace the Irish Air Corps' two Airbus Helicopters EC135s received from 2003 and which have reached the end of their useful service lives.
The H145M is provisioned to carry the Airbus HForce weapons system, and although not mentioned in the announcement it could be that this is being acquired to satisfy the contract's light attack component.
The Irish Department of Defence (DoD) stated that deliveries would commence in the first quarter (Q1) of 2027, from when they will augment the six Leonardo AW139 helicopters operated by the Irish Air Corps.
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