Transport Aircraft

Dohvolle

Per minister in Dail Committee it seems. No better source than that.

Larbre34

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120241063#Comment_120241063

Heavy Lift my eye. More shoddy journalism. A cursory google would have caught this description at the top of the model page on the Airbus website.

The Airbus C295 is a new-generation tactical airlifter in the light and medium segment.

sparky42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120241137#Comment_120241137

Hey, is it any different from the media calling any naval ship a “battleship” or any vehicle a “tank”…

EchoIndia

Or any part of an airfield "the runway".

Dohvolle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120241345#Comment_120241345

Everyone in the navy is an officer..

newcavanman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120207201#Comment_120207201

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120207201#Comment_120207201

Probably a C-17 required for her lol

newcavanman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120235901#Comment_120235901

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120235901#Comment_120235901

In the early 90s a fishing boat sank outside Howth harbour one night drowning , i think 2 fishermen. For whatever reason, no night qualified pilots or similar, nothing could be sent from baldonnel. Instead a Wessex had to come from RAF Valley . It turned out afterwards, that when the RAF were ordering their last batch of Sea King HAR 3s in the late 80s we were invited to tack on a small order, say 3/4 aircraft . as usual, we didnt bother. Why would we , defense procurement in this country is a complete joke

roadmaster

The Belgians are going to replace some of there NH90s with H145s. I know the NH90 has lots of trouble but are they not losing capability going with a smaller aircraft?

https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/belgian-armed-forces-nh90-tth-replacement

Dohvolle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120302146#Comment_120302146

I guess it depends on the intended role. It isn't always pure troop transport.

Larbre34

Having no helicopters would be a better situation than a fleet of NH90s.

sparky42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120303924#Comment_120303924

Careful, some Government departments might be listening...

Markcheese

According to the article they're actually buying another Nh 90 nfh , as well as getting rid of their troop transport variants

Grassy Knoll

I see the Defence Cion Implementation Report has delivery of the C295 transport aircraft in 2025.

sparky42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120394206#Comment_120394206

Think they announced that at the time, given the demand for slots on the production line we would have had to pay another nation to “jump the queue” otherwise.

Dohvolle

The fact its on the order books at all is a miracle. Best thing is as soon as it arrives we'll have pilots ready to fly it.

roadmaster

According to the times the state is going to hire 2 private jets due to the learjet issues but according to the article they will have 4 days notice for use and cant go transatlatic. Surley they are reading the tender wrong?

https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2023/04/10/plans-to-spend-over-32m-on-renting-private-jets-for-government-officials/

Ramasun

Maintenance issues with government jets might actually be a good thing. They're not being used frivolously and it highlights the consequences of underfunding and poor management, that doesn't retain quality engineers, to the people who sign the cheques.

Dohvolle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120460627#Comment_120460627

Have you read the tender yourself? I have.

1. The Minister for Defence wishes to enter into a Framework Agreement with a single supplier for the charter of a short haul jet aircraft and a medium haul jet aircraft, both with flight and cabin crew, to augment the existing Ministerial Air Transport Service operated by the Air Corps. The Framework Agreement will be utilised by the execution of a Call Off Contract at times when the military aircraft currently operated by the Air Corps is unavailable or unsuitable for a particular mission.

2. This requirement is divided into two parts to take into account short and medium haul components that may arise over the course of the Framework Agreement.

3. The short haul jet aircraft shall facilitate up to 7 passengers with a luggage allowance of at least 10kg each, with a seats full range of at least 1,500 nautical miles from Casement Aerodrome (EIME) under the Range, Weight and Luggage Assumptions (as detailed in Annex A)

4. The medium haul jet aircraft shall facilitate up to 12 passengers with a luggage allowance of at least 25kg each, with a seats full range of at least 2,500 nautical miles from Casement Aerodrome under the Range, Weight and Luggage Assumptions.(as detailed in Annex A) 

roadmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120460749#Comment_120460749

Is the main argument not that they need a private jet to go at a moments notice and when airlines cant?

Dohvolle

Hasn't that always been the case? This is just formalising that arrangement, rather than having to go through the process of seeking 3 quotes every time.

Worth noting there is still nothing concrete on what, if anything will replace the Lear45.

roadmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120460774#Comment_120460774

From the times article. The successful bidder will have to provide use of the jets at four day’s notice.

What happens if our leaders have an emergency meeting in EU HQ and the contractor says we will be with you in 3 days As per the tender

Grassy Knoll

IMHO unlikely to be a replacement acquired anytime soon irrespective of the merits etc … the political world we live in is full of point scoring and what-aboutery … the opposition will say we would have x number of new houses built, y number of hospital beds … the longer the can is kicked, the nearer to an election and definitely no decision then

Larbre34

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120460795#Comment_120460795

They would travel commercial scheduled, or use an Air Corps aircraft.

The whole point of this contract, again if you read it, is supplementary.

Besides, while this contract is asking for 3 days notice, many of these VIP and Government charters will, as part of their business model, offer 24 Hours.

roadmaster

The Austrians are apperently in talks to buy up to 5 C390s. It could be a good chance for the state in the longer term to go in with the austrians to order extra aircraft if they go ahead with the plan. It would help bring down the unit cost for all and give us a larger tactical transport in the long term

Larbre34

Thats not the way it works. Larger assets have to fit in with the strategic plan for what will become the Air Force.

As of now, we have no pilots and crew to train on a 390, no tasks for them to undertake and nowhere to hangar it. Other than that, fine idea!

Besides which, I don't believe that any European air forces should be buying Brazilian aircraft ahead of European or allied offerings. Irrespective of Lula da Silva's return to power, it seems that Brazil is determined to progress a deeper than economic relationship with it's BRICS associates, Russia, China, India and South Africa, all of whom have ignored, tolerated or even facilitated Russia's own invasion of Ukraine.

We simply should not be paying them for anything.

Dohvolle

Not to mention that we have already committed to a transport C295 already.

Given the Brazilian political issues, I would not be surprised to see a European Licence built version once orders start to come in. Embraer does not seem to have the capacity to build these in the numbers already required, while also building Gripen for FAB, as well as its normal commercial line.

minikin

Several transport aircraft arriving into casement this morning - extremely loud and low over Kilnamanagh! Wonder if this is to remove stuff after Biden visit.

Larbre34

It can only be that, or someone repossessing the helicopters we fell behind on HP payments for.

sparky42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120483783#Comment_120483783

Yeah it’s C17s lifting out the hardware.

Dohvolle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120484069#Comment_120484069

Delivering the SAMs for MAYO that Biden promised on Friday..