Ireland has signed a contract to purchase four Airbus H145 helicopters to replace the Irish Air Corps’ EC135 helicopters.
The 91.7-million-euro ($95.8-million) deal is scheduled to deliver the new platforms by 2027, during which the force’s two remaining EC135s are also set to retire, according to The Irish Times.
During its employment, the H145 fleet will be operated for training new pilots before handling larger tactical systems or aircraft under the Irish national police and security air support service.
They will also fly for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance, utility, maritime security, and light attack missions to support the army and naval corps.
“This investment is further evidence of the government’s commitment to enhancing our Air Corps, illustrated by the delivery of two C295 maritime patrol aircraft over the last 18 months, and the expected delivery of a C295 military transport aircraft next year,” Defense Minister Micheál Martin said, as quoted by the Irish Independent.
“These significant additions to the Air Corps’ capability will also be complemented by the acquisition of the new Falcon 6X multi-purpose strategic reach aircraft, the contract for which was signed earlier this month,” he added.
The H145 Helicopter
The Airbus H145 measures 43 feet (13 meters) long and has a wingspan of 36 feet (11 meters).
It is powered by a twin Turbomeca engine and has a fuel capacity of 1,500 pounds (680 kilograms).
The helicopter is equipped with Airbus’ flagship HForce weapon suite, which allows users to integrate display, control, tracking, and firing capabilities.
Users can arm the platform with cannons, rockets, machine guns, and multi-domain missiles.
The H145 can accommodate up to 10 personnel or 3,500 pounds (1,588 kilograms) of payload and deploy at up to 143 knots (265 kilometers/165 miles per hour) and an altitude of up to 12,550 feet (3,825 meters).
