Faced with Russian threat, Ireland could acquire combat aircraft

In 1998, the Irish Air Force (Irish Air Corps) withdrew from service its Fouga Magister jet trainers, bought second-hand in France in 1975, signing the end of jet combat aviation for the Irish Air Body. In reality, however, these Fouga Magisters, like the DeHavilland Vampire T.55s before them, were not real fighters, but simply training aircraft capable of carrying out some ground strike operations. Even today, the Irish Air Corps uses only about twenty aircraft, planes and helicopters confused, mainly dedicated to reconnaissance and rescue missions. Its only armed planes are therefore eight PC-9s purchased in Switzerland, propeller-driven training planes capable of carrying light machine guns and rockets.

For more than five years already, Irish parliamentarians are however discussing the possibility of reconstructing combat aviation capable of protecting national airspace against possible incursions by Russian bombers and reconnaissance planes. And the hypothesis was once again raised officially within the framework of the Project Ireland 2040 revealed by the Irish Ministry of Defense. As in 2016, the main argument put forward is therefore the resurgence of Russian activities. Indeed, Russian long-range aviation patrols generally bypass the North of Scotland and Ireland before veering south towards the Bay of Biscay, and risk invading airspace at any time. Ireland, which remains a neutral country.

75% of this article remains to read,
Subscribe to access it!

The Classic subscriptions provide access to
articles in their full version, and without advertising,
from 6,90 €.

Newsletter subscription