On Monday, December 30, 2024, the Department of Defence of the Republic of Ireland announced that Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin had recently signed a 91.7 million EUR net contract with the British company Airbus Helicopters UK Ltd. (a subsidiary of the European Airbus Group) for the delivery of four H145M light multi-role helicopters for the Air Corps (Aer Chór na hÉireann). Deliveries will begin in the first quarter of 2027.
Photos: Jakub Link-Lenczowski, MILMAG
The new helicopters will be used for pilot training to support the operations of the Irish Defence Forces (Óglaigh na hÉireann) and the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU), the air support division of the national police force (Garda Síochána).
“These helicopters will not only significantly boost the capacity of the Defence Forces pilot training programmes, but also enhance intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and light combat capabilities of our Air Corps,” said Michael Martin.
“This investment is further evidence of the government’s commitment to enhancing our Air Corps, illustrated by the delivery of two C295 maritime patrol aircraft over the last eighteen months, and the expected delivery of a C295 military transport aircraft next year,” he added.
The Minister for Defence also noted “These significant additions to the Air Corps’ capability will also be complemented by the acquisition of the new Falcon 6X multi-purpose strategic reach aircraft, the contract for which was signed earlier this month.”
At the beginning of 2024, the Department of Defence awarded a contract for the preparation of a detailed master plan for the development of Casement military airfield in Baldonnel (near Dublin), outlining the infrastructure requirements for the next 20 years. The 2025 budget includes an additional 8 million EUR to support the operational costs of the Air Corps fleet, Casement Airbase, and training programs.
The Airbus H145M helicopters will replace two older H135 helicopters (previously designated EC135P2+) from the 302nd Squadron of the Air Corps, with serial numbers 270 and 271 and factory numbers 0425 and 0431, respectively. These helicopters were delivered in November 2005 by Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters).
They will also be used for pilot training for the Garda Air Support Unit, which currently operates two EC135 helicopters, including EC135T1 (256/0149), delivered in December 2002, and EC135T2+ (272/0478), handed over in January 2008. However, these EC135 helicopters are also set to be replaced under a separate contract for two H145 helicopters. The first of these replacement helicopters, serial number 287, was spotted for the first time at the Airbus Helicopters facility in Donauwörth, Germany, in September of this year, carrying the temporary registration D-HBTS.
The H145M will provide greater capabilities compared to the H135, particularly in maritime security support missions, transport missions, reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, and intelligence (ISTAR) operations, as well as assault missions. The new helicopters will also feature enhanced electro-optical and thermal imaging capabilities, which are not available in the current fleet of Irish helicopters. These improvements will significantly enhance operational support for the Special Operations Forces – the Army Ranger Wing – while also providing broader support for training and operations of the Defence Forces.
The Defence Forces’ Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, added:
“The procurement of the Airbus H145M helicopter platform is another important step on the journey of transformative change of our Defence Forces. These new light multi-role helicopters, proven in their service in other militaries, will not only enhance the Irish Air Corps rotary capability but will also serve as a critical enabler to the Army, Naval Service and Special Operations Forces.”
The General Officer Commanding the Air Corps, Brigadier General Rory O’Connor, said:
“The acquisition of the Airbus H145M helicopters mark a significant milestone for the Air Corps. These light multi-role helicopters will serve as a critical enabler for training, ISTAR and armed support operations. They will provide vital light tactical transport support to the Army, Navy, and Army Ranger Wing, reinforcing our interoperability with Special Operations Forces. These helicopters will also play an important role in shaping the next generation of rotary-wing pilots, ensuring the Irish Air Corps remains agile, adaptable, and mission-ready for years to come.”
The H145M is the militarized variant of the H145 helicopter, previously designated as the Eurocopter EC145.
The latest version of Airbus’s bestselling H145 features an innovative five-blade rotor, which increases the helicopter’s useful load capacity by 150 kg. The simplified, hingeless rotor design enhances maintenance efficiency, improves serviceability and reliability, and enhances flight comfort for both passengers and crew.
Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, the H145 is equipped with a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system and Helionix digital avionics. It features a high-performance four-axis autopilot, which enhances safety and reduces pilot workload. Its exceptionally low acoustic footprint makes the H145 the quietest helicopter in its class, while its CO₂ emissions are the lowest among its competitors.
Recently, Airbus Helicopters delivered the first of 42 H145 helicopters for the French Ministry of the Interior and Overseas Territories, the first of 82 H145M helicopters for the German Federal Ministry of Defence, and the first two of four H145D3 helicopters for the Honduran Ministry of Defence. In September of last year, the Indonesian Air Force ordered four H145 helicopters, and in December, Bahrain placed an order for nine. Previously, orders had also been placed by the United Kingdom and Lithuania.
Other countries that have chosen to acquire the H145M include Luxembourg, Cyprus, Belgium, Ecuador, Serbia, Hungary, and Brunei. Additionally, Airbus Helicopters is offering the model as part of an Armament Agency-led market consultation for an integrated combat helicopter pilot training system for Poland, which is expected to include 24 training helicopters.
On December 6, 2024, it was announced that the 2,000th H145 family helicopter had been delivered to an undisclosed customer, and on December 9, it was reported that the 1,000th helicopter of an undisclosed type, equipped with Helionix avionics, had also been delivered.
