Minister Welcomes Arrival of New Strategic Reach Aircraft

The Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, today (16 December) welcomed the arrival of the Air Corp’s new Dassault Falcon 6X strategic reach aircraft.

The latest addition to the Air Corp’s fleet complements the delivery in September of the third Airbus C-295 aircraft.

The arrival of the aircraft, at Casement Aerodrome, was attended by the [Assistant Secretary General of the Department of Defence, Ms. Aileen Nolan, representing the Minister], the General Officer Commanding the Air Corps, Brigadier General Rory O’Connor, members of the joint Air Corps/ Department of Defence team who delivered the project and representatives of Dassault Aviation S.A.

Speaking on the occasion of the delivery of the new aircraft, Minister McEntee said:

“The Dassault Falcon 6X is a next generation aircraft which will enhance the State’s transport, airlift and medical evacuation capabilities and provide the State with an independent and flexible air transport service, which is an increasingly essential requirement to assist the Government in meeting Ireland’s national and international obligations.

“In addition, the aircraft will be used for a broad range of other taskings, including the evacuation of Irish citizens from critical situations, air-ambulance patient transfers, medical evacuation or repatriation of Irish Defence Forces personnel deployed on overseas missions as well as providing logistics support for the transport of supplies to Irish Defence Forces overseas missions.

“The delivery of the Dassault Falcon 6X strategic reach aircraft represents a significant enhancement of the State’s transport, airlift and medical capabilities, and is further evidence of the Government’s ongoing commitment to enhance the capabilities of our Defence Forces.”

The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy commented:

“Today marks a significant milestone for the Irish Air Corps as we welcome the Falcon 6X into service. This aircraft represents a major step forward in the State’s strategic reach, delivering enhanced capability in airlift, medical evacuation, and government transport. Its range, performance, and advanced systems will enable us to support Irish citizens and Defence Forces personnel across the globe with greater speed, safety, and flexibility.

“The arrival of the Falcon 6X also comes at an important moment in our development as we progress toward becoming an Air Force. It reflects not only an investment in modern equipment, but in the future role, ambition, and operational reach of Ireland’s air capability.

“The Falcon 6X will serve the State for many years to come, and its arrival highlights our commitment to building a modern, responsive, and forward-looking organisation.”

Ends.

Notes for Editors

• The aircraft was manufactured in France by Dassault Aviation S.A., a French aerospace company of long standing in the aviation and defence industries;
• The Falcon 6X has a total capacity of 17 persons and a passenger capacity of 14;
• The Falcon 6X, which replaces the Learjet 45 (which came into operation in 2004), is a future-proofed, new-generation jet aircraft with advanced fuel efficiency and a maximum range of over 5,000 nautical miles, it can comfortably reach destinations such as the Western Coast of the USA;
• It features a modern suite of avionics, secure communications, operational and safety equipment;
• The acquisition of the aircraft follows a tender competition under the negotiated procedure set out in the Defence and Security Directive 81/2009/EC in order to acquire a new mid-sized strategic reach aircraft for air transport and broader utility use;
• The cost of the Falcon 6X aircraft is circa €53 million excluding VAT.
• It is anticipated that the aircraft will be operational in Q1 2026.

Technical Specifications

Falcon 6X Performance

• Range @ Mach .80 (613 miles per hour) 5,500 nm / 10,186 km
• Maximum Mach Operating Speed Mach .90 (690 miles per hour)
• Maximum Certified Altitude 51,000 ft / 15,545 m
• Takeoff Distance 5,115 ft / 1,560 m
• Landing Distance 2,440 ft / 744 m

Engines

• Type 2 Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW812D

External dimensions

• Height 24 ft 6 in / 7.47 m
• Length 8 4 ft 3 in / 25.68 m
• Wing Span 85 ft 1 in / 25.94 m

Cabin dimensions

• Cabin Height 6 ft 6 in / 1.98 m
• Cabin Width 8 ft 6 in / 2.58 m
• Cabin Length (excluding flight deck and baggage) 40 ft 4 in / 12.30 m
• Cabin Volume (excluding flight deck and baggage) 1,843 ft³ / 52.2 m³
• Baggage Volume 155 ft³ / 4.4 m³

Weights

• Maximum Takeoff Weight 77,500 lb / 35,153 kg
• Maximum Landing Weight 66,200 lb / 30,028 kg
• Maximum Zero-Fuel Weight 45,900 lb / 20,820 kg
• Maximum Fuel Weight 33,800 lb / 15,331 kg