EIGHT FIGHTER jets are to be based at Shannon Airport as part of the Government’s plans to increase the capabilities of the Defence Forces.
Acquiring combat jets will cost the Government between €60m and €100m per annum according to preliminary analysis by defence planners.
Costings, action plans and timelines for a tripling of Ireland’s defence budget has been requested of officials in the Department of Defence by the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris (FG). An increase in budget is to match countries of a similar size in the European Union.
According to a report in The Irish Times, Defence Forces planners have already compiled preliminary cost estimates for the purchase of military jets for an “air policing” role designed to respond quickly to potential threats.
Under the proposals, the new air force would operate at least eight combat aircraft, the minimum number required to provide a 24/7 air policing capacity. However, ideally, it will possess between 12 and 14.
Shannon Airport will be the base for the aircraft, as Ireland’s longest runway it is superior to the Air Corps headquarters in Baldonnnel, Co Dublin which is considered too short to be able to accommodate combat jets. The jets will share the runway with other civilian aircraft.
Response times will be quicker and fuel will be saved with a Shannon base as the aircraft are expected to mainly operate over the western approaches to Ireland.
Specialised civilian companies will be responsible for the maintenance of the aircraft and not Defence Forces technicians, the plans detail. Pilots using the combat jets will have to be trained overseas.
The plan’s cost estimates range from €60 million to €100 million per year over between 20 and 25 years, a figure which includes the initial acquisition cost of the aircraft. These estimates are dependent on the number and type of aircraft purchased and their eventual service life. They translate to total final costs of between €1.2 billion and €2.5 billion over the aircrafts’ lifespan. It is understood officials have also started examining the acquisition of fighter jets for the purpose of air safety regulation.
Speaking this week, the Tánaiste said he was “convinced” of the need to acquire combat jets to “deter and detect” airborne threats. He cautioned that there are many steps before any acquisition such as the installation of primary radar systems to detect airborne threats, a project which is ongoing and due to be completed by 2028.
He said the “volatile” geopolitical environment has strengthened his convictions to increase Ireland’s airborne protection. “We’re living in a geopolitical environment that is volatile, that is different, and we have a lot of catching up to do”. He insisted the purchase of combat jets would not alter Ireland’s policy of military neutrality.
A spokesperson for the Shannon Airport Group said queries on the matter should be directed to the Department of Defence.
