An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir March / April 2025 www.military.ie/magazine www.military THE FUTURE LIGHT ATTACK HELICOPTER OF THE IRISH AIR FORCE C hange is coming to No. 3 Operations Wing. After more than 20 years of service, the EC135s are making way for something new — the Airbus H145M. With four of these helicopters on the way, the Air Corps is set to expand its capabilities in training, operations, and support for the wider Defence Forces. The EC135 has done exactly what it was brought in to do, but after more than twenty years of service, we're ready for an upgrade. As we become an Air Force, our demands are growing. We need an aircraft that can train the next generation while also contributing operationally. The first of the new helicopters is expected to arrive in 2027, marking the start of a new chapter for No. 3 Operations Wing as the Air Corps moves closer to becoming a fully-fledged Air Force. WHERE WE STARTED: A QUICK LOOK BACK 302 Squadron in Number 3 Operations Wing is the Training and ISTAR squadron and currently operates two Airbus EC135P2+ Light Utility Helicopters. It supplements the larger 301 Sqn and its fleet of six Leonardo AW139 Medium Lift Helicopters by providing flying training for pilots and aircrew, as well as a number of SOF support roles. This organisational setup of having a separate helicopter type for training can be traced back to 1979 when two SA342 Gazelles were bought to provide helicopter flying training in Baldonnel, freeing up the operational fleet of Alouettes that were based around the country for Search and Rescue, troop transport and air ambulance. THE NEED FOR REPLACEMENT The twenty-year-old EC135s have provided great service to the unit in training up countless pilots and aircrew however in order to meet the increased capability requirements outlined in the Detailed Implementation Plan a larger fleet of training aircraft is required. This need for increased training output, and the potential to increase the Air Corps capability in the light helicopter category started the search for a replacement for 302 Sqn's aircraft. The Air Corps has a good working relationship with the aircrafts manufacturer, Airbus, formerly known as Eurocopter, the same company that manufactured the EC135. Both companies can also trace their lineage back to the French company Aérospatiale; manufacturer of the Gazelle, Alouette and Dauphin helicopters that we previously operated. Current Air Corps helicopter pilots also have some experience flying the type – recently pilots have trained with the US Army in Fort Rucker flying the UH-72 Lakota and others have trained with the RAF flying H145 Jupiter HT1s out of RAF Valley in Anglesey. Closer to home the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU) have opted for the H145 to replace their own EC135s. These benefits are all in addition to the full new set of capabilities that the H145M brings to the unit. THE AIRBUS H145M: EXPANDING THE CAPABILITIES OF NO. 3 OPERATIONS WING Before we dive into what the H145M will mean for the Air Corps, it's worth asking—how has this helicopter performed for other nations? The H145M is already flying with several military Air Arms around the world, including Germany, Belgium, Cyprus, Hungary, Serbia, Luxembourg, and the United States. In fact, Germany is so confident in this helicopter's performance that they're currently replacing their Tiger attack helicopters with the H145M, a clear sign of its flexibility and reliability in real-world operations. The decision to acquire the H145M is more than just an upgrade — it's a genuine leap forward. For years, the EC135s have affectionately been teased as 'non-military helicopters painted in military green', but with the arrival of the H145M, this narrative no longer applies. ARTICLE BY CAPT CAYMAN ROE, AIR CORPS PRESS OFFICER PHOTOS PROVIDED BY IRISH AIR CORPS PRESS OFFICE Mowags under cover

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