What ballistics protection does the 139 offer? How does it cope with sand ingestion?
What are the chances of giving them a basic counter measures suite between now and January?
It's more than just the government "not using" the assets.
It's also the fact that these assets are not right for the job.
Why on earth would we send PC-9's to Chad when the French have Mirage F-1's there already?
Aside from that - if there are any balls in this government, now is the ideal time to make an emergency purchase of Helicopter assets, something capable of undertaking desert operations and carrying enough troops and equipment. Bypass the tender bullshit so that whatever is purchased might stand a chance of reaching the operating theatre while there are still Irish troops there.