Ireland’s €53m government aircraft lacks FalconEye system due to Israeli equipment policy

Ireland’s new €53 million government aircraft has reportedly been delivered without an enhanced-vision system that can assist pilots during approaches in fog and other poor-visibility conditions.

Irish newspaper The Journal reported that the equipment was not included on the Dassault Falcon 6X aircraft – which will be used for government business – because it is manufactured by an Israeli company.

The Irish government has vowed not to use Israeli defence equipment as part of their procurement programme, amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. 

Dassault Falcon 6X without the FalconEye

The Dassault Falcon 6X entered service shortly before Christmas last year, replacing the government’s ageing Learjet, and is operated by the Irish Air Corps from Casement Aerodrome at Baldonnel.

The aircraft is designated as a Strategic Reach Aircraft and has a broader role than government transport, including the potential to conduct long-range medical evacuation missions. 

However, it is most often used to transport the Taoiseach, ministers and other senior officials.

It replaces the Learjet, which has been suffering from technical difficulties and has a limited range. Issues with the Learjet have also seen the Irish Government rent private jets.

Critically, The Journal reported that the aircraft does not have Dassault’s FalconEye system, an enhanced-vision capability normally installed in the aircraft’s nose. 

FalconEye uses cameras and sensors to provide additional visual information to the flight deck, improving pilots’ awareness at night and in degraded weather conditions.

Omission affects low-visibility options

The system is not required for the Falcon 6X to operate in poor weather, and its absence does not mean the aircraft is unable to land in fog. However, it removes an additional tool that can expand the options available to crews when visibility deteriorates. 

The Irish Department of Defence told the paper in April that “there are no current limits on the operational capability of the aircraft”.

The system is manufactured by Elbit Systems, an Israeli aerospace and defence company.

Multiple sources told the paper that the Israeli origin of the equipment was the reason it was not included in the aircraft’s specification.

The issue stems from a policy announced in August 2024, when he was minister for defence and foreign affairs, under which Ireland would not purchase equipment containing Israeli-manufactured products.

How capable is the Falcon 6X?

The Dassault Falcon 6X is a large-cabin business jet designed for long-range, intercontinental operations.

Dassault describes it as the first ultra-widebody business aircraft purpose-built around a spacious cabin, measuring 6ft 6in high and 8ft 6in wide.

The aircraft has a range of approximately 5,500nm, allowing nonstop flights such as Dublin–Hong Kong and Los Angeles–Geneva. It incorporates an advanced digital flight-control system derived from technology first introduced on the Falcon 7X and subsequently developed for the Falcon 8X.

Aside from Dassault’s FalconEye, the aircraft is also equipped with FalconScan, a diagnostics system capable of monitoring around 100,000 maintenance parameters.

The Falcon 6X is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW812D engines, and can operate from airports with relatively short runways and conduct steep approaches, increasing its operational flexibility. It received certification from both EASA and the FAA in August 2023.