An in-depth look at the Irish Air Corps’ aircraft fleet

Feature

Regarded as one of the smallest air forces in Europe, the Irish Air Corps (IAC) boasts a limited number of fixed- and rotary-wing platforms that enable Ireland to fulfil its national and international military aviation requirements.

Founded in 1924, the IAC has operated a variety of platforms in several different roles throughout its 97-year-long history. That being said, the air arm has always maintained a relatively small size, in terms of the number of aircraft that it has physically operated at any one time. Even during World War Two – its largest conflict engagement to date – the IAC only operated a limited number of combat aircraft.

Irish PC-9M [Khalem Chapman]
Ireland's Pilatus PC-9M fleet currently provides the nation's sole fixed-wing combat capability, having the ability to be equipped with rocket and heavy machine gun (HMG) pods to enable it to conduct a close air support mission. Khalem Chapman

Become a Premium Member to Read More

This is a premium article and requires an active Key.Aero subscription to view.

I’m an existing member, sign me in!

I don’t have a subscription…

Enjoy the following subscriber only benefits:

  • Unlimited access to all KeyAero content
  • Exclusive in-depth articles and analysis, videos, quizzes added daily
  • A fully searchable archive – boasting hundreds of thousands of pieces of quality aviation content
  • Access to read all our leading aviation magazines online - meaning you can enjoy the likes of FlyPast, Aeroplane Monthly, AirForces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, Aviation News, Airports of the World, PC Pilot and Airliner World - as soon as they leave the editor’s desk.
  • Access on any device- anywhere, anytime

    • Choose from our offers below

Thumbnail

Originally published in Key.Aero