Neutral Ireland has refrained from operating its own fighter jet fleet for decades and instead relies on close cooperation with the UK for active air surveillance. As reported last summerthe Irish government, at the suggestion of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), commissioned a defense commission to examine this status quo and evaluate the possible acquisition of its own jets. The result is now available: The commission pretty much directly recommends such a procurement to the government with a preference for a specific (light) type.
Reminder: Irish Defense Minister Simon Coveney told the Irish Timesthat he was prepared to consider all of the Commission’s recommendations for the armed forces, even if they were ambitious. “I have told its chairman Aidan O’Driscoll that if there are new questions that need new answers, that require radical solutions, don’t be afraid to put them forward! The Government will have to deal with the consequences and implement them if new evidence suggests it is unavoidable.”
Primary radar also recommended
Now it does indeed appear to be the case. In its report published on February 9, the Government Commission recommended that the non-aligned country procure a “modern fighter aircraft type as part of a wider range of proposed military procurement proposals”. The Irish Air Corps (IAC or An tAerchór) should acquire “an air combat and intercept capability through a squadron of fighter jets”. The report goes on to say: “The Air Force should consist of a structure that can manage, maintain and administer a modern and balanced fleet of aircraft. And in the event that, as also recommended, a primary air radar capability is also introduced, the Chief of Air Staff should be responsible for maintaining a recognized air picture to ensure that Irish territorial airspace and Irish controlled airspace is fully policed and that breaches of Irish sovereignty are detected and responded too.” https://militaeraktuell.at/kalter-krieg-in-neuem-gewand/ No viable air defense capability
The IAC currently has no viable air defense capability and its only combat inventory is limited to eight weaponized Pilatus PC-9M turboprops. The report states: “In terms of air combat, the Commission is aware that the existing PC-9 aircraft type, which is primarily a pilot training aircraft for the (Irish) Air Corps, can provide a very limited air-to-air and even more air-to-ground capability, and this fleet is due to be replaced in 2025.”
Colleague G. Jennings explains in Jane’s Defence Weekly: “As mentioned earlier, active air surveillance intervention is fulfilled on a case-by-case basis by the British Royal Air Force (RAF), which is authorized by an – undisclosed – agreement signed in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in the USA to enter Irish airspace to intercept so-called ‘renegades’ who fail to communicate or present clear flight plans. September 2001 in the USA, the RAF is allowed to enter Irish airspace in order to intercept, identify and divert so-called ‘renegades’ who do not communicate or present unclear flight plans (e.g. military or state aircraft for the purpose of protesting to a government) or to impose a landing obligation. This applies not only to the airspace over the island of Ireland, but also to the ‘Shanwick Oceanic’ control zone, which extends far out into the Atlantic. This is not technically possible with helicopters or turboprop trainers.”
Preference for South Korean FA-50?
In a paper submitted to the government submitted to the government eight units of the South Korean light combat aircraft Kai FA-50 (a further development of the T-50 jet trainer) are marked as the “most realistic option” with acquisition costs of around 20 million euros per unit. The following pages on “Fleet Cost” also use FA-50s as an example. Although time horizons are not formulated in concrete terms, the recommendation has in any case received widespread media coverage in Ireland, see here (Irish Mirror) and here (Irish Examiner).
