Irish Air Corps: The air force without any fighter jets

Few countries in the developed world are without fighter jets. Combat aircraft fast enough to intercept an aerial threat are considered the backbone of a capable air defense, and most nations maintain at least one squadron of modern jets. Others have taken a different route.

Ireland’s air force, An tAerchór – the Irish Air Corps – doesn’t have a single fighter jet in its fleet. Ireland is not alone in its fighter-less defense: New Zealand, Iceland and several other nations do not field any fighters. But has Ireland ever had fighter jets before?

With Ireland potentially on the cusp of a historic fighter jet order for the first time in half a century, we examine the history of the Irish Air Corps, its fleet, and its future.

Does Ireland have an air force?

Ireland has had an air force since 1922, when the National Army Air Service was established. It was gradually equipped with aircraft from the UK’s Royal Air Force (RAF), and by the end of the first year, it had 10 aircraft in total – six Bristol F2B fighters and four Martinsyde F.4 Fighters.

Alan Wilson / WikimediaFollowing a reorganization of the National Army at the end of the Civil War, the branch was renamed the Irish Army Air Corps. It remained part of the Army until the 1990s.

During ‘The Emergency’ (Ireland’s policy of neutrality during World War Two), the Irish Army Air Corps fielded 11 Hawker Hurricane Mk I fighters, and in 1945, six Hurricane Mk II were delivered from surplus RAF stocks. The Hurricane was Ireland’s first modern fighter, capable of reaching over 300 knots and flying to 36,000 feet (11,000 meters). At the peak, 20 flew for the Irish Air Corps.

Alan Wilson / WikimediaThe Jet Age arrived in 1956 when Ireland received three de Havilland Vampire T.55 aircraft, with three more arriving in 1960. In 1975, the Vampires were replaced with six former Armée de l’Air (French Air Force) Fouga CM-170-2 Super Magisters. 

The Magisters were used for training by the Light Strike Squadron and for aerobatics with their display team, the Silver Swallows. But by the turn of the millennium, these fighter jets would be gone.

Can Pac Swire / FlickrAlongside these fighter jets, Ireland acquired various helicopters, light aircraft, transport, and multirole planes. The Air Corps got its first business jet in 1973 – a BAe 125 – and even flew a fleet of eight Cessna 172s for reconnaissance, communications and patrolling.

In 1998, just two Magisters remained in service, and in early 1999, these final two were withdrawn, leaving the Air Corps without a single combat jet.

Does the RAF protect Ireland?

Ireland maintains a policy of military neutrality. While it is a member of the NATO Partnership for Peace (PfP) program and signed up to NATO’s Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC), Ireland has not sought to become a full member of NATO.

Yet, with no fighter jets to protect its airspace, in this respect Ireland is reliant on a NATO member and next-door neighbor, the United Kingdom. Not only does it not have the fighters to intercept threats, but it hasn’t got a primary radar system capable of detecting intruders.

Ministry of DefenceThe agreement with the RAF was something of an open secret, with an official policy of ‘no comment’ from generations of taoisigh (prime ministers). However, it moved into the public sphere in 2023, when Sinn Féin, the main opposition party in Ireland, demanded more transparency on the nature of the agreement.

The alleged agreement allows RAF Typhoons to fly into the Irish Flight Information Region (FIR) to intercept aerial threats. Irish Senator Gerard Craughwell has been campaigning for three years for the government to reveal full details of the agreement, taking the issue as far as the High Court.

Ireland argues that if an air defence arrangement does exist, it does not meet the definition of an ‘international agreement’ and therefore is not subject to Dáil (assembly) scrutiny. The matter is still under discussion in court.

In recent years, there have been numerous occasions when Russian nuclear-capable bomber aircraft had entered or been on the edge of Irish airspace. During these times, Ireland has relied on RAF squadrons from Scotland to intercept and escort the intruder aircraft away. 

Ministry of DefenceWhat aircraft are used in the Irish Air Corps?

According to data from the Irish Defence Forces, the Air Corps fleet is currently as follows:

TypeRoleEntered serviceNumber in fleetPilatus PC-9MTraining20047Agustawestland AW139Helicopter20066Eurocopter EC135Helicopter20054CASA CN235Maritime Patrol19942Pilatus PC-12Reconnaissance20203Pilatus PC-12Transport20201Learjet 45Transport20041Britten Norman DefenderAir Support19971

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The Irish Air Corps took delivery of their PC-9M trainers in 2004, replacing the Magisters. The PC-9s were the first Air Corps planes to have ejection seats since the Vampires, and are equipped with two machine guns and pods capable of firing up to 14 folding-fin aerial rockets.

Irish Defence ForcesDespite being a capable aircraft, the PC-9M does come with its limitations. It doesn’t have any radar or advanced avionics and is only considered a secondary light attack aircraft, primarily a trainer. Its limited speed, range, and endurance make it particularly unsuitable as a defender, given Ireland’s position and vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the North Atlantic.

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Three years ago, Ireland’s Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) released a report evaluating Ireland’s defenses. It recommended various actions, including the procurement of a primary radar system and the addition of a new fixed wing aircraft. 

The government responded positively, confirming: “The Government has approved a decision to move to Level of Ambition 2 (LOA2) over a six year period to 2028. This will result in the Defence budget rising to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028, the largest increase in Defence funding in the history of the State.”

Even before the CoDF report in 2022, Ireland was contemplating its lack of fighter jets. In 2020, it revealed details of a five-year investment program, the Equipment Development Plan, which would include the acquisition of an air combat interceptor, as well as a primary radar system.

Ireland committed to procuring the radar in 2022, and has made some progress since then. A requirement phase, completed in 2024, sets out the procurement strategy and system specifics. The new air defense measures, which also include an anti-aircraft missile system, are expected to be fully operational by 2028.

In early March 2025, Ireland’s Tánaiste (deputy prime minister) and Minister for Defence Simon Harris requested costings for at least eight fighter jets, but noted that a fleet size of 12 to 14 would be preferable.

And it’s not just fighter jets in which the Air Corps plans to invest. In December 2024, the Irish government announced that it had placed an order with Dassault Aviation for a brand-new Falcon 6X private jet to replace the Learjet used for VIP transport. The Falcon is expected to arrive in December 2025.

Dassault AviationIn addition to this, four Airbus H145M helicopters were ordered in December 2024 for €91.7 million ($96.7m). The helicopters are to be used for pilot training, for defence operations, and for the Garda Air Support Unit.

AirbusWhat’s the best fighter jet for Ireland?

Ireland’s decision to invest in air defense will not be an easy transition. While the country is committed to increasing its defence spending, moving to jet fighters costs more than just the price of planes alone. There’s equipment, maintenance, training, personnel… It will be a very expensive project.

As one senior officer told the Irish Times, “for every pilot in a plane you probably need at least 40 highly trained people on the ground in support […] One shouldn’t underestimate the scale of the task.”

On the upside, it’s unlikely Ireland will be eyeing the very best fighter jets like the F-35 or Typhoon. The Air Corps aren’t planning to fly into combat zones, but need something affordable and capable to police, patrol and intercept in its airspace. Looking at second-hand aircraft could also be an option.

Tuomo Salonen, Finnish Aviation Museum, WikimediaOne jet that has been suggested several times in the past is the Saab JAS 39 Gripen. It’s a cheaper aircraft than the Eurofighter or Rafale, but as a 4.5 generation fighter, it incorporates many of the modern functions that would be required in this role. It also has low maintenance requirements and can operate from short runways. However, the Gripen E costs around $85 million, which could make it too pricey for the budget.

대한민국 국군 Republic of Korea Armed ForcesThe cheaper KAI FA-50 Golden Eagle is around half the price at $40 million, and while it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the Gripen, it’s a pretty capable interceptor. Its top speed of Mach 1.5 would make it easy to catch up with a Russian Bear, although its weapons and radar are somewhat limited.

Lockheed MartinIf Ireland were to look at second-hand jets, the F-16 Fighting Falcon could be a good shout. As a fourth generation fighter, it has a top speed of Mach 2.05 and enough range to cover all of Ireland’s airspace. Several European states still operate F-16, although it has recently been retired from service in Denmark and the Netherlands.

It’s likely to be some time before Ireland’s choice of future fighter becomes clear, but even beyond that, it will be a long road to entry into service. The most likely place for a base will be Shannon, given its long runway and strategic location, with pilot training taking place overseas. Nevertheless, Ireland is taking strong steps towards having its own fighter jets once again, for the first time in 25 years.

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