Bill for six Air Corps helis expected to top €50m

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Bill for six Air Corps helicopters expected to top €50m
 

AN order worth more than €50m for six new helicopters is to be placed before the end of the year, Defence Minister Michael Smith confirmed yesterday.

Three of the world's top manufacturers are competing for the lucrative contract. Four utility helicopters, capable of being armed with general purpose machineguns and carrying eight soldiers each, will be used by several Army units, including the Ranger Wing.

The initial order also includes two light utility helicopters, which will be used mainly for training but all six will be available for VIP transport, air ambulance duties and aid to the public.

Addressing three young Air Corps pilots who received their commissions at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co Dublin, yesterday, Mr Smith said this had already been a memorable year for the Air Corps.

The new Learjet came into service in January and the first Pilatus trainer craft arrived in April.

The three new pilots, Emmet Farrelly, John McCarthy and Oisin McGrath, were members of the 23rd cadet class, the final Air Corps group to have trained on the single-engined Marchetti craft.

New classes will be trained on the Pilatus PC 9M turbo prop craft, eight of which were delivered this year at a cost of €60m.

Tom Brady

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