ALTEA, the multidisciplinary aircraft procurement and completion specialist, has successfully supported the Government of Ireland in the acquisition of its new strategic reach aircraft – a factory-new Falcon 6X delivered on schedule last December, less than a year after the Government announced the purchase.
The aircraft, the first military-registered Falcon 6X and the second delivered by Dassault to a European state, replaces a Learjet 45 that served operationally for more than two decades. It is expected to enter service within the coming weeks.
On delivery, the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, said the aircraft marks a major milestone for the Irish Air Corps.
“This aircraft represents a significant 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 worldwide with greater speed, safety and flexibility.
“The arrival of the Falcon 6X also comes at an important moment as we progress towards 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 acquisition followed a tender competition under the negotiated procedure set out in the Defence & Security Directive 81/2009/EC to secure a new mid-sized strategic reach aircraft for air transport and broader utility missions.
ALTEA was responsible for defining and formalising the requirements, specifications, award criteria and scoring framework for the tender, and also provided advice on the terms of the procurement contract.
