Fighter jets for the Air Corps?

few commentators saying 6 is possibly a batch

That 6 Gripens stuff came from one Twitter account…it's not happening lads.

Hmmm....if they bought 6...they might decide to add more later, like they did with the PC12 and 295 and the Becket orders.

I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it yet. Michael Kelly is well got in aviation circles in Ireland.

He gets behind the scenes access to civil and military airfields on a regular basis. And for that reason he has a reputation to protect.

If it were some randomer, I'd pay no heed, but he's a bit less than random. Obviously it needs corroboration, but its not nothing, in my view.

I get what youre saying.

and if you are looking for a heads up on where Ryanair are going to open a new route or Aer Lingus loads to some US Destination, he is good.

If you are relying on him to deliver the heads up on one of the biggest defence purchases in the history of the state, then youd best look elsewhere.

His only other claim to fame from a military perspective is countering suggestions that the Learjet is busted and not flying, when the inference is it isn't doing Government flights, which it isn't, based on the monthly uploads to the DoD website. But Mike knows best :rolleyes:

The Saabs may be paired with the T7-A Saab jet trainers to bring the numbers up?

You would wonder if given the small numbers mentioned and our history of such procurements going back to the Spitfire, whether they might opt for two seaters.

They are in theory combat capable, and would offer twice the bang for the buck from an experience building point of view. In fact 6 two seaters would probably make more sense than 6 single seaters at this point.

While there is logic in sending the first cadre of fast jet pilots abroad for training…won't this create another problem by reducing the numbers of pilots on the base to do the day job?

What would be the day job though?

If these pilots are being trained to fly fast jets, then thats all they'll be doing, either training, or flying them, or doing mission planning or personal admin. Thats a full-time gig.

There will need to be units of jet jockeys, tactical transport, ACP, MATS and MPA flyers, and rotary specific pilots. And instructors / evaluators for all three. At least 30 or 40 in each cohort, more or less.

Its easy to forget that the current establishment strength of the Air Corps, at 866, provides for between 105-150 pilot officers and cadets, depending on training phases.

To run all the operational squadrons of the Air Corps as it stands, on a 24/7 basis, and properly allow for mandatory rest, annual and sick leave, CPD education and training, exams, maternity etc, takes at least that number of flyers. As for the future air force, that number will have to be 200-300, with ideally 30 or 40 cadets in training phases at any one time. And also commensurate increases in ground crew, admin, support staff and non flying staff officers and COs

Its a massive challenge.

40 staff per aircraft! Good God man…that buggers belief.

From memory that was what a former AC General suggested, and do consider its not just going to be just the Squadron itself, there's going to need to be a growth in the support side of the AC capabilities as well. If it's less than 3-400 I'd be stunned, even if we went to Gripen. But that's a future what if of course.

This is what saab say the aircraft needs for support. Now for regular use add in on top of this Annual Leave, Training and sick days etc my numbers are not far off. As @sparky42 mentioned previous air corps managment have alao quoted these numbers.

https://www.saab.com/newsroom/stories/2024/february/deploy-survive-win

It nothing like 40 per aircraft

The US Air Force ratio for fixed wing combat aircraft is 10 to 12, depending on whether its a two-seater or not, and the complexity of systems and ground handling.

An F-16 could operate with 6 bodies, an F-22 might need 20.

Yes, if we begin operating fast jets from scratch, the number will be artificially high until capability is built up.

But taking the Gripen, for example, its standard operational crew is 7. 1 x pilot, 1 x NCO and 5 technicians. For deployment in theatre it becomes 11. 2 x pilots, 1 x NCO, 1 OR-5/6 NCO relief, and 7 crew on duty rotations.

I am just wondering, if once a decision on possible fighter jets have been made, would the media / papers write in a negative way? Like "the fighter jets we don't need" kind of attitude?