Irish Air Corps
The Ireland Air Force, officially known as the Irish Air Corps, is the aerial branch of the Defense Forces of Ireland. It was established on October 1, 1924, making it one of the oldest air forces in the world. Initially, the primary role of the Air Corps was to provide air support to the Irish Army. Over the years, the Irish Air Corps has evolved and expanded its capabilities in various areas, including air defense, aerial reconnaissance, maritime patrol, transport, and air ambulance services. Its aircraft inventory consists of a range of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, including Pilatus PC-9M trainers, Cessna FR172H Reims Rockets, CASA CN-235 patrol aircraft, AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters, and Eurocopter EC135 helicopters. The Ireland Air Force has played a significant role in various peacekeeping missions, both within and outside the United Nations framework. It actively cooperates with other international aviation organizations and participates in joint exercises with allied air forces.
Key facts
| Official Name | Irish Air Corps |
| Local Name | Óglaigh na hÉireann Aerchór |
| Country | 🇮🇪 Ireland |
| World rank | #112 |
| Active aircrafts | 23 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 2 |
| Roundel |
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Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Training | 8 | |
| Helicopters | 8 | |
| Transport | 4 | |
| Special missions | 3 | |
Aircrafts most used by Irish air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC-9 | 8 | Swiss trainer aircraft, renowned for its use in aerobatics, globally employed for military flight training since the 1980s. | |
| AW139 | 6 | Italian multi-purpose helicopter, highly significant in SAR, EMS, offshore transportation, law enforcement roles, since its introduction in 2003. | |
| PC-12 Eagle | 4 | Swiss turboprop passenger and cargo aircraft, distinguished by worldwide operational history, notably in charter, regional, and utility roles. | |
| C-295 Persuader | 2 | Spanish tactical military transport aircraft, utilized globally in maritime patrol, surveillance, and humanitarian relief missions since the late 20th century. | |
| H135M / EC365 | 2 | European light utility helicopter, prominent in law enforcement, medical services, and military operations worldwide since the late 20th century. | |
| BN-2B Defender | 1 | British light-utility aircraft, notably deployed for surveillance, logistical operations, and transport duties in various global regions. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Irish Air Corps
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | AW139 | ||
| H135 | |||
| Special missions | C295/CN235 (MPA) | ||
| BN-2 (Recce) | |||
| Training | PC-9 | ||
| Transport | PC-12NG |