Ireland reshapes helicopter tasks
ROBERT HEWSON Editor, Jane's Air-Launched Weapons
Dublin
Ireland is moving away from the former dominant requirement for internal security and search-and-rescue and more towards traditional war fighting
Special forces support will be an important tasking for the entire helicopter force
The Irish Air Corps (IAC) has accepted into service new training and transport aircraft and retired two older types as part of a move to revamp its mission capabilities and support expanded roles for the Irish Defence Force.
Trading force numbers for capability, the IAC's rotary assets are being rationalised around two core aircraft types that are larger and significantly more advanced than their predecessors.
The future fleet will comprise two Eurocopter EC 135 light utility helicopters (with a requirement for a third) and four AgustaWestland AB139 utility helicopters (with options on another two).
On 31 December Ireland formally retired its Aerospatiale (Eurocopter) SA 342L Gazelle and SA 365F Dauphin helicopters, although one Dauphin remained active as an air ambulance until the end of January.
December also saw the two newly delivered EC 135s fully established in service as training and transport aircraft.
The last of Ireland's long- serving SA 316 Alouette III helicopters (already between 32 and 43 years old) will be retired in 2007 following the initial AB139 deliveries.
Ireland's operational doctrine is moving away from the former dominant requirement for internal security and search and rescue (SAR) and more towards "traditional war fighting", a senior defence force source noted.
"Ireland's PfP [Partnership for Peace] commitment is in the background all the time now and we have to be international and deployable. After all, formalisation of the European Union Battle Group concept was largely progressed during the Irish [EU] Presidency.
"At the moment there must be a policy change to allow us to deploy abroad like this, but the training is going ahead."
Colonel Paul Fry, Chief of Air Staff (Operations) and Deputy Commander of the IAC, told JDW that Ireland is "making a strategic commitment to a multi-engined helicopter fleet that will be fully dedicated to day and night troop transport".
"Each AB139 will be able to lift the army's basic tactical formation - a stick of eight troops - plus three days of supplies to sustain them in the field," Col Fry said.
"If you multiply that by four or six helicopters you have a significant rapid-reaction capability. For the first time we will also be able to transport the army's main combat support weapon - the 105 mm field gun - plus ammunition and the fire team."
Each new helicopter is fully night-vision goggle capable, opening up a new realm of night operations for their crews.
The AB139s will be armed with 7.62 mm machine guns for self-defence and fire support. While the AB139s will be primary front-line assets, the opportunity exists to use the EC 135s to deploy a command team or reconnaissance forces.
Special forces support will be an important tasking for the entire helicopter force.
All aircraft will also have a secondary SAR and aeromedical role, with rescue winches and specialist life support systems acquired for both types.
The first AB139s will be delivered to the IAC's No 3 Operations Wing at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, in August and November. The third and fourth will arrive in early January 2007.
Options on a further two AB139s need to be exercised before the end of 2006 to secure the contracted pricing. Should this occur, delivery would be expected in 2008.
