| Air Corps | |
|---|---|
| An tAerchór | |
 Badge of the Air Corps | |
| Founded | 1924; 101 years ago (1924) |
| Country |  Ireland |
| Allegiance | Ireland |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Aerial warfare |
| Size | 689 active personnel(Establishment: 866) (December 2023)[1] 23 aircraft (+ 3 aircraft in support of theGarda Síochána) |
| Part of | Irish Defence Forces |
| Headquarters | Casement Aerodrome,Baldonnel |
| Mottos | Irish:Forḟaire agus Tairiseaċt "Watchful and Loyal" |
| Website | Air Corps – Defence Forces |
| Commanders | |
| General Officer Commanding | Brigadier General Rory O'Connor[2] |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |  |
| Fin flash |  |
| Colours |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Helicopter | AW139,EC 135P2/T2 |
| Patrol | Airbus C295 |
| Reconnaissance | Pilatus PC-12,Britten-Norman Defender |
| Trainer | PC-9M |
| Transport | Learjet 45 |
TheAir Corps (Irish:An tAerchór) is theair force ofIreland. Organisationally amilitary branch of theDefence Forces of Ireland, the Air Corps utilises a fleet offixed-wing aircraft androtorcraft to carry out a variety of duties in conjunction with theIrish Army,Irish Naval Service andGarda Síochána. The headquarters of the Air Corps is located at theCasement Aerodrome inBaldonnel, County Dublin. The Air Corps has an active establishment of 886 personnel. Like other components of the Defence Forces, it has struggled to maintain strength and as of December 2023 had only 689 active personnel.[1] Unlike the Army or the Naval Service, the Air Corps does not maintain areserve component.[a]
While established as an army air corps in the 1920s, the Irish Air Corps was not operated as a separate military service until 1997. It is primarily built around various supporting roles rather than actually controlling Irish airspace, having retired its last jet fighter aircraft in 1999.[3] In 2022, the Irish government committed to implementing a series of changes proposed by the Commission on the Defence Forces, which called for (among other revisions) the establishment of an Air Corps Reserve by 2028.[4]
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The origins of the Air Corps go back to theAnglo-Irish Treaty talks of 1921, aMartinsyde Type A Mark IIbiplane was purchased and put on 24-hour standby atCroydon Airport to allowMichael Collins to escape back to Ireland if the talks failed. The plane was not needed for this mission, and it became the first aircraft of the newNational Army Air Service arriving in June 1922.[5]
The National Army Air Service was established in July 1922 and was gradually equipped with various aircraft types acquired from theRoyal Air Force (RAF) and theAircraft Disposal Company. This company had been formed in 1919 to dispose of surplus aircraft and aero-engines from World War I for the British government.[6] By the end of 1922, the National Army Air Service comprised ten aircraft, consisting of sixBristol F2B fighters from theFirst World War and fourMartinsyde F4 Fighters,[6] and about 400 men.
As the National Army Air Corps' capabilities were modest, and theAnti-Treaty IRA forces had no air force for it to engage in any event, the Air Corps played a minimal role in theIrish Civil War.[citation needed] It was renamed the Irish Army Air Corps as the Irish Free State reorganised its defence forces as part ofDefence Forces Act 1924.
With the establishment of theDefence Forces in 1924, the Air Service became the new Army's Air Corps and remained part of the Army until the 1990s.
In 1938 fourGloster Gladiator biplane fighters were delivered – a further eight were ordered but were embargoed by the outbreak ofWorld War II. Other aircraft purchased from the United Kingdom before the outbreak of war included 16Avro Anson Mark I maritime patrol bombers, 3Supermarine Walrusamphibians, 6Westland Lysander Mark II army co-operation aircraft and a number of trainers.
DuringWorld War II (orThe Emergency) there are no records of Air Corps planes engaging any belligerent aircraft, although dozens of escaped barrage balloons were shot down. Requests for more aircraft from Britain resulted in 13 obsoleteHawker Hector biplane light bombers being supplied during 1941. TwelveHawker Hurricane Mk. Is were initially ordered for the Irish Army Air Corps in 1940 but were not delivered due to a wartime embargo imposed by the British government. Eleven Hurricane Mk. Is were eventually delivered to the Air Corps, from surplus RAF stocks, between July 1943 and March 1944, and the Hurricane Mk. I (no.93), that crash-landed in County Wexford in 1940, was the twelfth aircraft. These were supplemented by 6 Hawker Hurricane Mk. IIcs that were delivered to the Irish Army Air Corps in March 1945, to eventually replace the Hurricane Mk. Is of No. 1 Fighter Squadron. Supplied from surplus RAF stocks, the Hurricane Mk. IIcs were the last batch of aircraft to be delivered to the Air Corps before the end of World War II. The Hurricanes were the first monoplane fighter aircraft to enter service with the Air Corps and were also the first aircraft capable of reaching 300 m.p.h. in level flight. The Hurricane gave the Air Corps a proven modern fighter, and – at peak – 20 flew in Irish colours.[5]163 belligerent aircraft force-landed in Ireland during the war, and in this way, the Air Corps acquired aLockheed Hudson, aFairey Battle, and threeHawker Hurricanes.
After the Emergency, the Hurricanes were replaced bySupermarine Seafires and a few two-seatSpitfire trainers.
The jet age arrived on 30 July 1956 when the Corps took delivery of threede Havilland Vampire T.55 trainers, followed by three more in 1960 who served as advanced trainers and fighters.[7][8]
The Vampires were replaced by sixFouga CM.170 Magisterjet trainers that were purchased secondhand from the French Air Force and delivered from 1975 to 1976.[9][10] The Magisters were used for jet training, by the Light Strike Squadron and foraerobatics by theSilver Swallows display team that was formed in 1986.[11][12] The Magisters were occasionally used to escortVIP aircraft.[13] The Magister could be equipped with two7.62mmmachine guns in the nose and fourteen 68mmrockets on its underwinghardpoints.[13][14]
De Havilland Chipmunk T.20s were introduced in the 1950s and used as basic flight trainers until 1976.Hunting Percival Provost T.51 and T.53s were also introduced in the 1950s as advanced flight trainers, serving until 1976.
During the mid-sixties and early seventies, the Corps played a part in expanding Ireland's film industry. Pilots and engineering staff participated in a 1965 box office success,The Blue Max. The fleet ofWorld War I replicas, owned by ex-RCAF fighter pilotLynn Garrison's "Blue Max Aviation", was based atCasement Aerodrome inBaldonnel – before being moved toWeston Aerodrome atLeixlip. Here the Corps continued its involvement, providing aircrew and engineering staff to support films such asDarling Lili,Von Richthofen and Brown,Zeppelin and a number of television commercials. Lynn Garrison was also responsible for coordinating the first demonstration of theMarchetti SF-260 Warrior at Baldonnel.[15]
As a result of this presentation, in 1977 the Corps acquired ten SIAI-Marchetti SF.260W Warriors for basic and advancedtraining and light ground attack. Four were lost in accidents, and one attrition replacement was acquired in 1979.[16]
ThreeAvro Anson C.19s were delivered in 1946 for radio and navigation training, air-to-ground photography, and transport, and were replaced by fourde Havilland Doves which arrived in 1953, 1959, 1962, and 1970, which were also used for calibration of radar and landing aids at Dublin and Shannon airports.
Thetroubles in Northern Ireland required additional reconnaissance resources, and in 1972 eightReims-Cessna FR.172H joined the Air Corps to provide patrolling, aerial surveillance, and aerial communications. One Reims-Cessna FR.172K was delivered in 1981 as an attrition replacement.[17] The Cessnas served with No 2 Support Wing, operating from Gormanstown until the airfield's closure in 2002.[18]
Ireland's accession to theEuropean Economic Community in 1973 which necessitated frequent travel to European capitals for government ministers led to the creation of the Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) and the acquisition of the Corps' first business jet, aBAe 125-700 (#238), which served until 1992.[19] This was joined in 1980 by aBeechcraft Super King Air 200 (#240), which also provided multi-engine training.[20]
Ireland's accession to the EEC also necessitated sustained maritime patrolling of 342,000 km2 (132,000 square miles) of ocean. Two Beechcraft Super King Air 200s (#232 and #234) were delivered in 1977–78 to perform this duty.
The bad winter of 1962/3 incentivised the acquisition of helicopters and in November 1963, the Air Corps took delivery of its first three helicopters,SA.316B Alouette IIIs, followed by five more in 1972–73. The Alouettes performedsearch and rescue, troop transport and air ambulance duties.[21] TwoAérospatiale SA342L Gazelle entered service in 1979 to provide helicopter training.[22]
The single engine of the Alouette limited its search and rescue range over water, and in 1986 five twin-enginedAérospatiale SA365Fi Dauphin II were acquired for the SAR role. Two of these were modified for operation from the Naval Service Helicopter Patrol vesselLÉ Eithne, and equipped with crashproof fuel tanks and harpoon deck arrester gear.[23][24][25]
In 2024, the state settled a case with a former Air Corps technician, who had worked in the avionics section in the 1990s, and who was "allegedly exposed to toxic chemicals which he says caused severe health difficulties".[26]
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In November 1998, the Air Corps had two Fouga Magisters in service.[27] Two of the six Magisters were to be retired in 1997 and a further two in 1998.[28][29] In early 1999, the Magisters were withdrawn from service.[30][31] The retirement of the Magisters meant that the Air Corps without any jet combat aircraft.[31][32] In 1998, a review of the Air Corps conducted by Price Waterhouse for the Irish government recommended replacing the Fougas and Marchettis by eight light strike/trainer aircraft.[33][34]
In 2004, eightPilatus PC-9M trainers were delivered to the Air Corps to replace the Marchettis and Magisters.[35][36][37] The PC-9M is the first Air Corps aircraft to have ejection seats since the Vampire. The PC-9M has six underwing hardpoints, and is normally equipped with twoFN HMP250gun pods, each carrying oneM3P machine gun, and two FN LAU-7rocket pods, each carrying seven 70mmFolding-Fin Aerial Rockets, in theclose air support role.[38]
One of the retired Marchettis was kept for the Air Corps Museum, while the remaining six were sold to a private reseller in the United States.[39]
On 12 October 2009, Air Corps instructor Captain Derek Furniss, and Cadet David Jevens were tragically killed when their PC-9M (#265) crashed during a training exercise inConnemara,County Galway.[40][41]
In 2017, an attrition replacement (#269) was delivered.[42]
To support Ireland's assumption of theEU Presidency in 1990, the Corps leased aGrumman Gulfstream III (#249) – which in 1990 became the first Irish military aircraft to circumnavigate the world.[43] The success of Gulfstream III as an ambassador for Ireland led to its replacement in 1992 by aGrumman Gulfstream IV (#251) which also replaced the HS.125.[44]
Ireland again assumed theEU Presidency in 1994, and the Air Corps acquired aLearjet 45XR (#258) to supplement the government's ministerial travel requirements.[45]
The Ministerial Air Transport Service has since declined in use and size as government ministers are reluctant to travel in perceived luxury when adequate commercial air travel is available, and after repeated criticisms of government ministers using Air Corps aircraft for domestic travel.[46] The repeated technical problems to the MATS aircraft has led to their gradual withdrawal from service, with the Beechcraft the first to be retired in 2009.[47][48]
The Gulfstream IV followed in 2014 after corrosion was detected in the undercarriage which required substantial costs to repair.[49][50][51] The Learjet has continued in service, albeit with increasing unreliability, and (as of 2023) was due to be replaced by 2024.[52][53]
The two maritime patrol Beechcraft were unsuitable for flying in long periods in a salty atmosphere and were replaced by twoCASA CN235-100MP Persuader which arrived in 1994.[54] These were upgraded in 2006/2007 byEADS CASA to the FITS Persuader standard with enhanced radar, forward looking infrared equipment and a new electronic and avionics suite. In 2019, the government ordered twoAirbus C295 maritime patrol aircraft which arrived in 2023 to replace the CN235.[55][56]
In the 1990s the Air Corps gained a new role with the formation of theGarda Air Support Unit (GASU) in 1997. The unit was initially equipped with oneBritten-Norman Defender 4000 (#254),[57] and oneEurocopter AS.355N Ecureil (#255).[58] Operational control of the aircraft remains with the Department of Justice, Equality, and Law Reform, while the Air Corps provide pilots and technicians to fly and maintain the aircraft. The AS.355N was supplemented by aEurocopter EC135 T2 (#256) in 2003, and replaced by a second EC135 T2 (#272) which arrived in January 2008.
During the 1990s and 2000s, the Air Corps gradually lost its search and rescue (SAR) role. In 1990, an inquiry chaired by retired Garda Commissioner Eamonn Doherty into Ireland's air sea rescue recommended transferring this service from the Air Corps to a new emergency service, and the stationing of rescue helicopters at regional airports instead of a centralised service.[59] The government accepted the recommendations and established the Irish Marine Emergency Service (IMES), now theIrish Coast Guard in 1991. Irish Helicopters operated the first privatised SAR helicopter, aSikorsky S-61N, from Shannon in 1991. This service was later taken over by Bond Helicopters (nowCHC Helicopter) in 1997 who also won the Dublin contract in 1999.
On 2 July 1999, Captains Dave O'Flaherty and Mick Baker, Sergeant Pat Mooney and Corporal Niall Byrne were tragically killed when their Dauphin (#248)crashed into sand dunes at Tramore Beach, County Waterford.[60][61] The crash only emphasised the limits of the Air Corps SAR helicopters, as the Alouette was only available during daylight hours and the Dauphin was small and had a short range. Both needed replacement by medium-sized helicopters.[62][63]
In 2002, CHC took over the Waterford SAR contract, leaving the Air Corps with only the north-east contract. While a S-61 was leased to train crews, pending a tender to purchase up to five medium helicopters, two of which would be SAR helicopters, the contract was cancelled and CHC took over the north-east contract based in Sligo, leaving the Air Corps without a SAR role.[64][65]
Despite the cancellation of the order for five S-92s and the loss of the SAR role, the aging Alouettes, Gazelles and Dauphins still needed replacement. In 2004 the government ordered twoEurocopter EC135P2 light helicopters for training, air ambulance, and general utility, and fourAgustaWestland AW139 medium helicopters for troop transport, air ambulance, and VIP transport.[66][67] The Gazelles were retired in 2005 and replaced in November by two EC135 P2.[68]
The Dauphins were retired in 2006, followed by the Alouettes in 2007. During their operational lifetime, 3,300 people were assisted by the Alouette helicopters in their Search and Rescue and air ambulance roles.[69] The four AW139 arrived during 2006/7, and the option for an additional two was exercised and arrived in 2008.[70][71][72][73] Since 2012, one of the AW139 has operated an air ambulance service fromCustume Barracks, Athlone for theEmergency Aeromedical Service.[74][75]
On 4 October 2019, after 47 years of service to the state, the five remaining Reims/Cessna FR172H Rocket aircraft were retired from service after amassing 63,578 flight hours total.[76] The Cessnas were replaced with severalPilatus PC-12NG aircraft during 2020.[77] The first PC-12NG utility transport variant was delivered in April 2020,[78] followed by three PC-12NG 'Spectre' aerial surveillance variants in September 2020.[79][80]
During the2011 Libyan civil war, the Air Corps was tasked with evacuating approximately forty Irish citizens from the troubled country. The operation involved two Air Corps aircraft (the Learjet and one CN-235), and nine personnel, usingMalta as a temporary base.[81][82][83]
There was much criticism of Ireland's inability to rescue its own citizens in the 2021 Kabul and 2023 Sudan evacuations due to Ireland's lack of a long-range, heavy-lift aircraft. In August 2021, Ireland had to ask France and Finland to rescue 36 Irish citizens from Kabul.[84][85][86] In April 2023, over 90 Irish citizens were evacuated from Sudan by aircraft from France, Spain and the UK.[87][88] In December 2022, an order was placed for an additionalAirbus C295,[89] to be used for cargo and personnel transport, including overseas operations, special operations forces support and medical evacuations. The aircraft arrived in October 2025.[90]
Like other components of the Irish Defence Forces, the Air Corps has struggled to maintain strength and compete with private sector salaries. In May 2025, it was reported that a shortage ofair traffic controllers meant that the Air Corps would be limited to 12-hour operations from Monday-Friday.[91][92]
As the Air Corps has not maintained fighter aircraft in its inventory since 1999, Britain'sRoyal Air Force reportedly sent fighter jets to intercept and escort a number of Russian bombers out of Ireland's airspace in the early 2020s.[93]
In February 2022, the Commission on the Defence Forces published a report. For the Air Corps, the report recommended that the service be renamed to the Irish Air Force and advocated for the establishment of a Chief of the Air Force.[94] The Air Corps would change from being "an effective sub branch of the army" to having a "stand-alone command and decision-making structure".[95] The report also recommended three levels of ambition (LOAs) with each level having different recommendations. LOA 1 proposes to maintain the current size of the Air Corps, while bringing active personnel numbers back up to the current establishment.[96]
LOA 2 recommends the development of additional capabilities, including:
LOA 3 recommends a further development of Air Corps combat capabilities, including:
Under LOA 3, the new Air Force would also be capable of deploying combat pilots, aircraft and support personnel overseas. LOA 2 recommends a budget of €1.5 billion with LOA 3 recommending a budget of €2.967 billion. The commission compared Ireland to other nations of similar GDP and population size, and determined these budgetary increases would be commensurate with those nations.[97]
As of 2023, the then Irish government had committed to implementing LOA 2 by 2028.[98] In February 2025, the Minister for Defence Simon Harris said the new government was "committed to moving to LOA3 after LOA2".[99]
The Irish Air Corps is the air branch of the Irish Defence Forces. Headed up by Brigadier General Rory O'Connor, General Officer Commanding,[2] Air Corps (GOCAC), the Air Corps comprises a staff headquarters, two air wings, two ground support wings, one independent squadron and the Air Corps College. The Air Corps' principal base of operations is out ofCasement Aerodrome in Dublin.
1 Operations Wing is the main formation responsible for operational fixed-wing flying.[100] This is sub-divided into four individual flying squadrons and two non-flying squadrons, each of which has a dedicated role:
3 Operations Wing is the formation responsible for operational rotary wing flying,[101] and is divided into three flying squadrons and one non-flying squadron. It provides pilots for theEmergency Aeromedical Service, theair ambulance service which is jointly operated by the Air Corps and theHSE National Ambulance Service.
4 Support Wing is primarily concerned with second-line aircraft maintenance (front line maintenance is done by the engineering squadrons in each operational wing).[102] This formation has two squadrons.
5 Support Wing is responsible for logistic support for the Air Corps.[103]
Communication & Information Services Squadron (CIS) is responsible for the supply and maintenance of ground-based communications, navigation, radar and IT systems for the Air Corps. The CIS Squadron comprises a headquarters and four flights.[104]
The Air Corps College is the principal training unit of the Irish Air Corps, where all entrants into the service undertake their training. The college is divided into three distinct schools:[105]
| Aircraft | Origin | Role | Variant | In service | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maritime patrol | ||||||
| Airbus C295 | Spain | Maritime patrol | MSA | 2[106][107] | ||
| Reconnaissance | ||||||
| Pilatus PC-12 | Switzerland | Surveillance | PC-12NG | 3[106][107][108] | Three 'SPECTRE' surveillance variants[109] | |
| Transport | ||||||
| Airbus C295 | Spain | Transport | MTA | 1[90] | ||
| Learjet 45 | United States | Executive transport | 1[107][110] | To be replaced by aDassault Falcon 6X which is on order for planned delivery in 2025[111][112] | ||
| Pilatus PC-12 | Switzerland | Utility | PC-12NG | 1[106][107][108] | One utility variant[113] | |
| Helicopter | ||||||
| Eurocopter EC135 | Germany | Utility / trainer | EC135 P2 | 2[107][68][106] | To be replaced byAirbus H145, four of which were ordered in 2024 for delivery from 2027[114] | |
| AgustaWestland AW139 | Italy | Utility | 6[107][70][106] | |||
| Trainer | ||||||
| Pilatus PC-9 | Switzerland | Trainer / CAS | PC-9M | 8[107][35][106] | One hull lost in 2009 was replaced in 2017[42] | |
| Police air support | ||||||
| Britten-Norman Defender | United Kingdom | Police air support | 4000 | 1[107][57] | Flown for theGarda Air Support Unit (GASU).[115] Due to be replaced by aDHC-6 Twin Otter.[116][117] | |
| Eurocopter EC135 | Germany | Police air support | EC135 T2 | 2[107][118] | Flown for theGarda Air Support Unit (GASU).[115] To be replaced byAirbus H145, four of which were ordered in 2024 for delivery from 2027[114] | |
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In January 2023, the Irish government announced funding of €21.5 million for a replacement helicopter and fixed wing plane for theGarda Air Support Unit (GASU).[119] In July 2024, aDHC-6 Twin Otter was ordered as a replacement for theBritten-Norman Defender.[116][120] In December 2024, the government announced the purchase of fourAirbus H145M light utility helicopters for €91.7 million to replace the EC135s used for pilot training and the GASU.[121][122] The helicopters are scheduled to begin arriving in 2027.[121]
In February 2023, the government agreed to replace theLearjet 45, which has been in service since 2004, has becoming increasingly unreliable and unable to fly long distances. The replacement jet is expected to seat ten passengers and be capable of long-distance travel to assist in overseas evacuation of Irish citizens, medical transport as well as ministerial air transport.[123][124] In December 2024, the government announced that it had ordered aDassault Falcon 6X, known as the Strategic Reach Aircraft, which is due be delivered in December 2025 and available ahead of Ireland'sEU Presidency in the second half of 2026.[111][112]
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | Ordered | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transport | ||||||
| Falcon 6X | France | Executive transport | 1 | Expected delivery in 2025 to replace the Learjet 45.[111][112] | ||
| Helicopter | ||||||
| Airbus H145 | Germany | Utility / trainer | H145M | 4 | Expected delivery from 2027 to replace all the EC135.[122] | |
| Police air support | ||||||
| DHC-6 Twin Otter | Canada | Police air support | Guardian 400 | 1 | Expected delivery in mid 2025 for theGarda Air Support Unit (GASU) to replace the Britten-Norman Defender.[116][120] | |
| Name | Origin | Type | Variant | Image | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small arms | ||||||
| Heckler & Koch USP | Germany | Semi-automatic pistol | _modified.png) | Standard service pistol[125] | ||
| Steyr AUG | Austria | Assault rifle |  | Standardservice rifle since 1989[126] | ||
| Machine guns &Rockets | ||||||
| FN MAG | Belgium | General-purpose machine gun | FN MAG 58M | _(2).jpg) | Can be mounted on theAgustaWestland AW139 helicopter | |
| M2 Browning | United States | Heavy machine gun | M3P |  | Can be mounted in a wing pod on aPilatus PC-9M for Close Air Support role[127] | |
| Rocket pods | Belgium | Unguided rockets | LAU 7 | Can be mounted under the wing of a Pilatus PC-9M for Close Air Support role[127] | ||
The Irish Air Corps lacksprimary radar to detect aircraft in Irish controlled airspace who have switched off theirtransponders, likehijacked aircraft and incursions byRussian military aircraft.[128][129] The 2015 White Paper on Defence stated that, if additional funding became available, the acquisition of a radar surveillance capability for the Air Corps would be a priority.[130][131] The White Paper on Defence Update 2019 reported that no additional funding had been provided.[132][131] In February 2022, the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) recommended acquiring primary radar under Level of Ambition (LOA) 2.[133] In September 2022,The Irish Times reported that it would cost over €100 million to procure primary radar.[134] In November 2023, the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission of the Defence Forces (DIP-CoDF) stated that the recommendation to develop a primary radar was planned to be completed by 2028.[135]
The 2022 CoDF recommended under LOA 2 that eight super‐medium helicopters should be acquired when the existing fleet of medium-lift helicopters is due to be replaced.[136] The 2023 DIP-CoDF stated that the acquisition could be completed by 2028.[137]
Since the retirement of theFouga Magister in 1999, Ireland has lacked anair intercept capability.[31][32][138] However, since 1952 Ireland has had a secret agreement with the UK to allow theRoyal Air Force to respond to incursions into Irish airspace.[139][140] The 2015 White Paper on Defence stated the White Paper update would consider a more capable air combat/intercept capability than the PC-9s.[141] The 2019 Update to the White Paper on Defence reported that the project had not commenced.[142] The 2022 CoDF recommended acquiring a squadron of jet combat aircraft under LOA 3.[143] This would increase Ireland's air defence capabilities to a level comparable to similar sized countries in Europe.[144] The 2023 DIP-CoDF stated that the recommendation would be considered by government in 2028.[145]
The Pilatus PC-9s are due to reach their 20-year service life in 2025,[146] however as of 2023 no tender for a replacement aircraft had been announced.[147][148]
The roles and functions of the Air Corps are more akin to an army air corps rather than a conventional air force. The Air Corps has no air intercept capability, and very limited low-level ground attack capacity. The Air Corps can provide a day/night tactical helicopter troop transport, but without armed helicopter escort support.
The Air Corps non-military capabilities in aid to the civil power and other Government departments include ministerial transport,maritime patrol,police support,search and rescue support,air ambulance,aerial firefighting, and aerial surveillance, observation and photography.[149]
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The Air Corps provides anair ambulance service for emergency rapid transfer of patients between hospitals, to hospitals from offshore islands, transferring patients for treatment overseas, and transporting emergency organ retrieval teams. The aircraft used are the AW139, EC135, C-295 and Learjet.
An Air Corps AW139 also provides anEmergency Aeromedical Service for theNational Ambulance Service based out ofCustume Barracks in Athlone, providing an emergency patient airlift service from scenes of accidents to hospitals.[150][151]
The Air Corps operates two CASA C-295 long-rangemaritime patrol aircraft in support of fishery protection, marine surveillance, and search and rescue.[106]
The Air Corps provides a Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) forthe President and members of the Government in official engagements abroad. The Learjet 45 is used specifically for this purpose, with the AW139, EC135 and CASA occasionally used.
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TheGarda Air Support Unit (GASU) provides specialist air support for theGarda Síochána, Ireland's national police force. The Air Corps provides three aircraft, twoEurocopter EC135 T2 helicopters and aBritten-Norman Defender, as well as pilots and aircraft technicians to the GASU, while the Department of Justice retains operational control of the aircraft.[152]
The Air Corps' ranks are similar to those of the Irish Army. As of April 2023, the strength was 711 all ranks.[1]
| Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Irish Air Corps[153] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||||||
| Lieutenant-general | Major-general | Brigadier-general | Colonel | Lieutenant-colonel | Commandant | Captain | Lieutenant | Second-lieutenant | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lefteanant-ghinearál | Maor-ghinearál | Briogáidire-ghinearál | Cornal | Lefteanant-chornal | Ceannfort | Captaen | Lefteanant | Dara-lefteanant | ||||||||||||||||||
| Abbreviation | Lt Gen | Maj Gen | Brig Gen | Col | Lt Col | Comdt | Capt | Lt | 2nd Lt | O-Cdt | ||||||||||||||||
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irish Air Corps[153] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regimental sergeant major Maor-sáirsint reisiminte | Regimental quartermaster sergeant Ceathrúsháirsint reisiminte | Flight sergeant Sáirsint eitleoige | Flight quartermaster sergeant Ceathrúsháirsint eitleoige | Sergeant Sáirsint | Corporal Ceannaire | Airman 3 star Eitleoir, 3 réalta | Airman 2 Star Eitleoir, 2 réalta | Apprentice Printíseach | Recruit Earcach | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abbreviation | RSM | RQMS | FS | FQMS | Sgt | Cpl | Amn 3* | Amn 2* | App | Rec/G1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of the 31 December 2023, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 7,550 personnel comprised of 6,136 Army personnel, 689 Air Corps personnel and 725 Naval Service personnel.
The Air Corps fleet comprises..2 Fouga Magister CM-170
The fouga magisters go out of service completely next May..
'the development of a radar surveillance capability is a priority for the Air Corps'
There are currently no plans for the replacement of the PC-9 fleet, however it is acknowledged that they are nearing end of life and it is expected that the project for their replacement will be considered as part of the next cycle of the National Development Plan
| Airbases |
|  | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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