Irish Air Corps EC135 replacement
The Irish Times has reported that four new H145M helicopters will be delivered by 2027, under the terms of a €91.7million contract. The aircraft will replace two H135P2+ aircraft now…
January 1, 2025
The Irish Times has reported that four new H145M helicopters will be delivered by 2027, under the terms of a €91.7million contract. The aircraft will replace two H135P2+ aircraft now in use for pilot training, army support, military and VIP transport and general utility and air ambulance duties.
The new H145M will bring improved capabilities compared to the EC135, with an increased maximum takeoff weight and longer range and capable carrying up to nine passengers, compared to seven for the EC135. The Irish H145Ms will be equipped with unspecified ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) sensors enabling it to undertake a wider range of missions, which, the Air Corps says, will include armed support, as well as Irish Naval Service, Army Ranger Wing (special forces), and Garda (police) support. This might suggest that the aircraft will be fitted with Airbus’ HForce weapons system, though this has not been confirmed.
Announcing the procurement on 30 December, Micheál Martin the Tánaiste (deputy prime minister) and Minister for Defence said that: “These helicopters will not only significantly boost the capacity of the Defence Forces’ pilot training programmes, but also enhance intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and light combat capabilities of [the Irish] Air Corps.”
Martin went to say that: “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. 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.”
Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces added that: “These new light multirole helicopters, proven in their service in other militaries, will not only enhance the Irish Air Corps’ rotary capability but will also serve as a critical enabler to the Army, Naval Service and Special Operations Forces.”
The two Irish Air Corps EC135s (270 (c/n 0425) and 271 (c/n 0431) now in service were originally delivered in November 2005, and are deemed to be nearing the end of their useful service lives, and they are due to retire in 2027. The new H145Ms will be delivered from the first quarter (Q1) of 2027, and will augment the six Leonardo AW139 helicopters operated by No.301 Squadron.
The new Irish Air Corps H145Ms will also be used to train pilots for the Garda (Police) Air Support Unit. The Garda Síochána (civil police) also currently operates a pair of EC135s. These are flown by Irish Air Corps pilots, under the full time operational control of the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU). The helicopters consist of an EC135T1 (256, c/n 0149) delivered in 2002 and an EC135T2+ (272, c/n 0478), delivered in January 2008. These two EC135s will also be replaced by H145s from 2027, under a separate contract. The first of the Garda H145s, 287, was sighted at Airbus Helicopters’ Donauwörth facility in September 2024, wearing the test registration D-HBTS over a full blue and white police livery, with Garda titles covered, and a German flag superimposed over the Irish tricolour on the tailfin.
