New Irish government jet ordered without Israeli navigational system may struggle to land
Technology that helps pilots land in fog was excluded from the aircraft due to Ireland’s policy on buying Israeli defence equipment
Ireland’s new €53 million government jet was bought without an Israeli-made system that helps pilots land safely in fog and other poor weather.
The Dassault Falcon 6X, used to fly Taoiseach Micheál Martin and other ministers, was ordered without the FalconEye system made by Israeli defence company Elbit Systems.
According to The Journal, sources said the system was left out because buying it would have required the Irish government to make a separate deal with Elbit.
FalconEye uses cameras and sensors to help pilots see when visibility is poor, including during heavy fog.
Former Irish Air Corps pilot Kevin Phipps told The Journal: “The operational benefit of this system is the ability to land in fog when other aircraft would have to divert to another airport.”
Ireland’s Department of Defence said there are “no current limits” on what the aircraft can do.
The 14-seat jet arrived shortly before Christmas last year and replaced the government’s old Learjet. It is mainly used to carry the Taoiseach and ministers, but can also be used for long-distance medical flights.
The decision comes amid Ireland’s policy on buying Israeli-made military equipment.
In 2024, Martin, who was then defence minister, said Ireland would not buy equipment containing Israeli-made products.
However, Israeli technology is still being used in some other aircraft bought by Ireland.
Four new Airbus helicopters being built for the Irish Air Corps contain flight systems developed by Airbus and Elbit. Ireland’s new C295 maritime patrol aircraft also uses Israeli-made radar.
According to The Journal, those systems are built into the aircraft and could not simply be removed. FalconEye, however, would have required Ireland to make a separate agreement with Elbit, so it was not included.