- Falcon 6X grounded for one month of factory maintenance overseas
- Check-up cannot be performed at Casement Aerodrome Baldonnel
- Maintenance scheduled for August during Oireachtas summer break
- Aircraft delivered without FalconEye enhanced vision system
- Department of Defence omitted system due to Israeli defence procurement policies
The new Irish Government jet, a €53m Dassault Falcon 6X, has been grounded for almost a month to undergo a scheduled routine maintenance check-up at a factory abroad. The aircraft will be out of service for approximately one month. The mandatory check-up requires factory-level servicing that cannot be performed domestically at the Air Corps base in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel. According to reporting from The Journal and statements covered on Today FM, officials have emphasised that this is a routine, planned factory check.
The grounding follows separate scrutiny regarding the jet’s specifications. Reports revealed the aircraft was delivered without an Israeli-made FalconEye enhanced vision system, which helps aircraft land in heavy fog. The Department of Defence omitted the system to align with procurement policies concerning Israeli defence firms. Tánaiste Micheál Martin defended the aircraft, stating it has been “very effective” and that the routine overseas maintenance is entirely unrelated to the missing navigational components.
The aircraft has been used for ministerial flights since arrival. Sources indicate the check-up requires specialist facilities unavailable to the Irish Air Corps. The work is timed for August during the Oireachtas summer break to minimise disruption. Maintenance hubs exist in Switzerland and Britain. The jet is expected to return to service in September. Separate reports noted the absence of certain standard equipment such as FalconEye on delivery.
Micheál Martin, Taoiseach shared: “The aircraft has been very effective and the routine overseas maintenance is entirely unrelated to the missing navigational components.”
