Fighter jets for the Air Corps?

Technically it seems a bit of a stretch for turkey to jump straight to a 5th / 6th generation fighter, but I suppose the technology is getting more out there / known ..

The big thing for f35 ,apart from its stealth and different purposes seems to be the software and sensors .. does AI make that more attainable ?

Saudi looking to buy into the project helps bind the 2 states ...

Isn't that the cautionary tale for budgets...

https://www.military.africa/2023/10/south-africa-secures-gripen-engine-maintenance-contract-with-gkn-aerospace/

They also have a problem keeping people trained on them. So it's manpower issues as well.

given they plan to fly them till 2031ish (assuming the 35s aren’t delayed), we might just have IOC of a radar system, unlikely to be a complete system given timeframes at this point imo. But I very much doubt we will be in position to take them on in the early 2030s. I’m still betting that we will have the minister of the day sign off an everything LoA2 says they should by 2028 but then as ever will fall back on the “nothing else can be done until all those acquisitions are operational and we have another review”.

In my completely uninformed non-military civvies armchair opinion (disclaimer :) ) the PC-9s will not be replaced with jets of any kind. It's reasonable to think the PC-9s (20 years service in 2025) will be replaced in the next 3-5 years - but I think a more realistic prospect is a move to the PC-21. It's a big step up performance wise and has climb and roll rates similar to entry level jet trainers. It's also the same manufacturer and same type (turbo prop I mean) and a direct successor to the PC-9 so presumably the training will be easier than moving to a jet. The PC-21 also has avionics and instrument systems that can closely emulate a jet in a way the PC-9 could not.
I can see this government opting for 8-10 PC-21s with a view to complete 7-10 years training and pilot upskilling and modernization of the aer corp before even considering the commission for the defence forces Level of ambition 3 recommendation for a jet intercept capability.
Anyone think this sounds reasonable or am I completely out of touch with what is actually going on.
(full disclosure - I am an aviation fan and would obviously love if we got fast jets capable of intercept - I also think there is a strong case to be made given our location on the periphery of Western Europe and history of incursions in our flight control space - but I think what I said above feels more realistic and possibly best case with regards modernization).

When have we ever replaced hardware on time? It's too late for a 2025 replacement, even a G2G would be years from now, not too mention the procurement side is supposedly concentrating on the other list for LoA2. I'd expect them to continue on till at least after 2028 most likely into the 2030's when a call comes on LoA3 (or not given our lack of energy for LoA2), the interesting thing will be when we hold the EU presidency, and whether we will need help for any air policing that might be needed during meetings of the EU27.

True, though that would also be affected by how many flight hours we have put up on them (and one being a later purchase), but still the point remains, we don't have capacity to manage all of what we need just to hit the LoA2 target by 2028, I can't see this is a priority for replacement currently, even if it means a recertification process this year.

I mean given theere we no mention of the AC 135s being replaced early in that answer and we now are replacing them, you could argue that at any point in 2025 another announcement might come on the PC9s, but I would still bet they will slip into the 2030s.

be interesting to see what the medium help decision is, and how quickly they get into service.

Personally speaking…I think the Embraer Tucano would be a good contender for the PC 9 replacement...until such time as the fast jets come screaming down the runway in Baldonnel. We need something that would come in "a bit handy in a fight" and the Tucano seems to be picking up a few orders recently and looks like a right tasty and aggresive bit of kit! I see Jonny Portugeser has just bought 8 and an un named African nation has just bought 4. Fine looking plane which can be armed to the effin teeth. Just the ticket if Jonny Russian comes prowlin around offshore Co.Galway ! Leash off a couple of rockets and they'd be high tailin back to Vladvistock!

Since the p 9 is largely a trainer and the super tucano isn't , it's kind of moot point .

( And I know the air corps ones are pc- 9 m

Yeah well Israel has burned up a lot of diplomatic capital. When is comes to other regional hegemonics like Turkey, its understandable why they would be concerned, but really they have no right to interfere and no say in who acquires what.

If anyone does get shirty, it'll be Greece.

We sit nice and safe under the wing of the UK and it's RAF.

We really don't need fighter jets,, But we really need one or two really big aircraft. Maybe second hand military transport aircraft. Or even some old 747's that have been parked up somewhere nice and dry.

How often have we seen overseas conflicts trap Irish citizens abroad, and suddenly we need to get them home.

It looks really bad when we have to go cap in hand, and ask other with their own military transport aircraft to give us a dig out.

These big planes could then keep an eye on our fishing grounds when not saving Irish people from harm.

First two isn’t near enough for our patrol area if we were being serious, second no matter how much of a step up they are for the AC over what came before they are still handicapped and lacking subsurface capabilities.

The AC like the others need more people, but it’s still well under equipped for even basic domestic roles let alone anything more than that.