As part of efforts to modernize its maritime patrol and transport capabilities, the Irish Air Corps has recently received the third and final Airbus C295 aircraft, manufactured at the European consortium’s production facility in Seville, Spain. The addition of this aircraft, designed for transport missions, complements the two C295 MPAs delivered in 2023.
At the end of December 2019, and in response to the need to renew part of its maritime patrol and surveillance fleet, the Irish Ministry of Defence announced the award to Airbus for the purchase of two C295 MPAs. These two aircraft, delivered in June and October 2023, allowed the Irish Air Corps to replace its aging CASA CN235-100s, which had been in service since 1994.
However, with the goal of further advancing the renewal of its transport aviation, the Irish Defence portfolio also confirmed that it would expand its partnership with Airbus through the acquisition of an additional C295 aircraft, intended for transport missions.
Following this, on October 8, Airbus Defence and Space and the Irish Ministry of Defence celebrated the delivery of this aircraft—the third and final of the program—bearing the registration number “286.”
The aircraft was received on October 7 at Casement Aerodrome during an official ceremony attended by the Secretary General of the Department of Defence, Jacqui McCrum, and the Chief of the Irish Air Corps, Brigadier General Rory O’Connor.
Lastly, in addition to highlighting the £300 million investment in the acquisition of the three C295 aircraft, it was also confirmed that, to further strengthen the Irish Air Corps’ transport capabilities, a Dassault Falcon 6X aircraft focused on strategic transport missions is expected to be received soon. With an investment of £53 million, this aircraft is anticipated to arrive before the end of 2025.
Photographs: Airbus Defence and Space / Irish Department of Defence.
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