Defence budget cuts have forced Ireland to drop plans to acquire Sikorsky S-92 search and rescue (SAR) helicopters. But Dublin has restated its commitment to acquire eight turboprop trainers.
The Irish defence ministry is making cuts of €40 million ($38.9million) this year. Scrapping the S-92 order will save €12.5 million, it says. Ireland selected the S-92 in January, but the move faltered after a Eurocopter legal challenge.
A trainer tender was issued last month with responses due on 9 August, says the defence ministry. It says that it hopes for a deal by year-end. The turboprops will replace seven Aermacchi SF260WEs and six Cessna FR172s. Potential candidates include Embraer, Korean Aerospace Industries and Pilatus. The trainer acquisition is part of a wider scheme to retain Irish Air Corps pilots, which will include incentives to be introduced shortly.
The defence ministry says funding is available this year to make payments on any trainer order. Savings include about a c5 million reduction in overseas allowances, as Ireland has reduced personnel numbers serving on UN missions, and it is expected compensation claims for personnel deafness will be c12 million less than expected.
The defence ministry is reviewing SAR helicopter provision with the department of communications, marine and natural resources.
Source: Flight International
