The Irish Air Corps has taken delivery of a Dassault Falcon 6X strategic reach aircraft at Casement Aerodrome, enhancing Ireland’s ability to deploy teams and conduct evacuations globally when commercial air travel is unavailable or unsuitable.
On 16 December 2025, the Irish Air Corps took delivery of its new Dassault Falcon 6X “strategic reach” aircraft at Casement Aerodrome, according to Ireland’s Department of Defence. The arrival adds a long-range jet capability to an air fleet currently undergoing renewal, following the earlier delivery of a third Airbus C-295 transport aircraft. For Ireland, the acquisition is focused less on prestige and more on responsiveness—enabling the rapid movement of government leaders, specialist teams, patients, and the execution of evacuations when commercial air services are unavailable or unsuitable.
The Falcon 6X is a long-range, large-cabin twin-engine jet designed for high-speed intercontinental missions. In Irish Air Corps service, it is configured to support a broad mission set including government transport, airlift, and medical operations rather than a single specialized role. The Department of Defence states the aircraft can accommodate up to 17 people, with seating for 14 passengers, and confirms it replaces the Learjet 45 that entered service in 2004. Performance data highlights the aircraft’s strategic utility: a range of 5,500 nautical miles at Mach 0.80, a maximum speed of Mach 0.90, and an operating ceiling of 51,000 feet. Takeoff and landing distances of 5,115 feet and 2,440 feet respectively allow access to a wider range of airfields, while two Pratt & Whitney PW812D engines provide the efficiency and performance underpinning these capabilities. The spacious cabin—over 40 feet long, 8 feet 6 inches wide, and 6 feet 6 inches high—supports mission equipment installation and patient movement, complemented by 155 cubic feet of baggage capacity.
Irish officials have linked the delivery to a broader capability-refresh program and emphasized a transparent procurement process. Manufactured by Dassault Aviation in France, the aircraft was formally handed over at a ceremony attended by senior defense officials, including Assistant Secretary General Aileen Nolan, Air Corps Commander Brigadier General Rory O’Connor, and Dassault representatives. The Department of Defence states that the acquisition followed a competitive tender under the EU Defence and Security Directive 2009/81/EC, designed to balance procurement transparency with national security requirements.
The aircraft’s reported cost is approximately €53 million excluding VAT, with initial operational availability expected in the first quarter of 2026. This timeline reflects remaining work in crew training, certification, and integration into national tasking frameworks. In parallel, the ongoing delivery of C-295 aircraft reinforces Ireland’s wider air mobility expansion, positioning the Falcon 6X as one element of a multi-year force development effort rather than a standalone investment.
Operationally, the value of the Falcon 6X lies in speed, range, and control over response timelines rather than bulk transport capacity. Minister for Defence Helen McEntee described the aircraft as enabling an independent and flexible air transport capability for the State, supporting missions such as emergency evacuation of Irish citizens, air ambulance transfers, medical evacuation or repatriation of Defence Forces personnel, and logistics support for overseas deployments. High cruise speed, long range, and high-altitude performance allow faster crisis response over long distances, while secure communications and modern avionics support command-and-control requirements during sensitive operations.
The Department of Defence has framed the Falcon 6X as a sovereignty and readiness enabler, directly supporting Ireland’s national and international obligations. Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy described the aircraft’s introduction as part of the Air Corps’ evolution toward a more force-like air service, emphasizing its ability to deliver rapid global reach in support of citizens and deployed personnel. Together with concurrent fleet upgrades, the Falcon 6X strengthens Ireland’s capacity to manage time-critical contingencies such as evacuations and medical missions, while reinforcing sustained investment in strategic air capability.
About The Author
