The Irish Air Corps has begun training on the AgustaWestland AW139 utility helicopter, after accepting its first of four examples in Italy on 11 August. The service expects to receive its second example in late October, with the medium twins - the first AW139s to enter military service - to arrive at its Baldonnel site in mid-November before starting operational activities before year-end.
The air corps will also take delivery of two Eurocopter EC135 light utility helicopters next year under an approximately €60 million ($77 million) rotorcraft transformation deal announced in December 2004.
The service's next procurement priority will be to acquire a replacement for its Cessna 172 special mission aircraft to conduct tasks including target-towing and parachute training, says commanding officer Brig Gen Ralph James. Aircraft such as the Cessna Caravan and Pilatus PC-6 could potentially be suitable for the requirement, he says. Ireland is also becoming increasingly interested in gaining access to strategic airlift to support its international peacekeeping activities, he says.
Source: Flight International
