Irish Air Corps Gears Up for Falcon 6X VIP Transport Operations Launch
The Irish Air Corps is on the brink of commencing operations with its recently procured Dassault Aviation Falcon 6X, signifying a substantial upgrade to Ireland’s strategic transport capabilities. The €53 million aircraft, which was delivered to Casement Aerodrome in December 2025, is expected to enter service in the coming weeks.
The Falcon 6X is set to become Ireland’s primary VIP transport aircraft, taking over from a Bombardier Learjet 45 that has been in service since 2003. Designed to accommodate up to 14 passengers, this advanced twinjet boasts a maximum range of 5,060 nautical miles, making it capable of reaching destinations such as the western coast of the United States without the need for refuelling.
The aircraft will cater to a diverse range of missions including:
- Government transport
- Medical evacuations
- Air-ambulance patient transfers
- Logistics support for Irish Defence Forces personnel deployed on overseas missions
Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee, stressed that the aircraft provides “an independent and flexible air transport service” that will be crucial in fulfilling Ireland’s national and international obligations, especially during Ireland’s EU Presidency in the second half of 2026.
As per FlightGlobal, this is the first military-registered Falcon 6X and the second one delivered by Dassault to a European state, with Serbia being the first to receive the type for governmental operations.
Source: FlightGlobal