Ireland eying fighter jets

[Daniel Ravenswaay]

According to the article below, Ireland is interested in acquiring at least eight and possibly up to fourtheen figter jets as well as developing a national radar system.

Not based on anything, but what would you all see as the most likely candidate...? Irish T-346 or FA-50 ?

Article
https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/irel ... n-50-years

[Zonan]

If the reason would be air defense, I don't think the T346 or FA50 would be sufficient, especially for QRA duties. I'd say they will probably go for the eurofighter or possibly the gripen

[nils]

could go for used F-16's if the budget doesnt allow anything new.
Greece is selling theyre Mirage 2000-5EGM's, could be a good gap-filler?

[Flyboy]

With reference to all the recent international developments and interoperability: think Typhoon 4.

[SquAdmin]

If the reason would be air defense, I don't think the T346 or FA50 would be sufficient, especially for QRA duties. I'd say they will probably go for the eurofighter or possibly the gripen

Why wouldn't the FA50 be suitable for QRA duties? It's supersonic, equiped with an AESA radar and can carry air to air missiles.

[Key]

Topic moved as speculation is the main subject, not the news itself. Carry on

Erik

[Wildpicture]

If they aircraft would remain in Ireland, the FA50 could do well. The most capable and modern Russian fighters will not operate near Ireland. They just do not have such reach and Russia has very limited air refueling capabilities. So a QRA will mostly handle larger patrol aircraft of bombers or civilian airliners with a problem. In fact such an aircraft would do fine for a very limited cost.

You could even ask yourself why the RNLAF doesn't buy a batch of them. Not all aircraft have to be the capable but extremely expensive and delicate to operate F35. You could even form a few squadrons operated by reserve pilots. Not for the high intensity first few days front line operations but very cost effective.

[nilsko]

You could even ask yourself why the RNLAF doesn't buy a batch of them. Not all aircraft have to be the capable but extremely expensive and delicate to operate F35. You could even form a few squadrons operated by reserve pilots. Not for the high intensity first few days front line operations but very cost effective.

You are aware of the current challenges concerning staffing our current armed forces? And that it makes sense to streamline your logistical pipeline? Even _if_ you can get some reserve pilots to fly them, who's going to maintain them? And train them?

And with regards to the Ireland stuff, choosing a platform also used by their neighbor makes more sense than procuring a platform like the FA-50. It might tick all the boxes from our point of view, but we only tend to see a nice fighter, but overlook the other aspects.

[michel N]

Ireland has a limited Defence budget, and they are discussing a fighter capability already for years. So far, without result. A relatively cheap fighter like the FA-50 or M346FA might be easier to get political support than a state-of-the-art expensive Typhoon or Rafale.
Austria bought the M-346FA as advanced trainer, but also for QRA-light, much cheaper per flying hour, and still very capable.
Ireland could do the same. And if there’s a serious threat, the RAF has a QRA with Typhoons.

[Herby]

If the reason would be air defense, I don't think the T346 or FA50 would be sufficient, especially for QRA duties. I'd say they will probably go for the eurofighter or possibly the gripen

If you are looking at the facts I think the FA-50 could be the perfect fighter for a small nation like Ireland. It will even better at QRA jet as the F-35, flown by many air forces, because this is much too expensive per one hour and even too sophisticated to fulfill this role.
The maximum speed of Mach 1,6 of the FA-50 is enough. One fueltank and two missiles can be carried.

[Coati]

They are better off buying/leasing a squadron of JAS-39Cs, Rafales or Typhoons. Mach 1.6 for a FA-50 - probably flight test results. In reality a plane needs to be stripped of any tanks/ordnance and fully prepared to even come close to the claimed max speeds.

[SquAdmin]

I'm sure those options are better and then there's the F-15EX which of course would be the very best fighter for this task. But when budget reality kicks in, choice is usually rather limited.

[michel N]

A Hungarian/Czech solutie might also be an option (if Sweden/SAAB still offers leasing)

[Herby]

They are better off buying/leasing a squadron of JAS-39Cs, Rafales or Typhoons. Mach 1.6 for a FA-50 - probably flight test results. In reality a plane needs to be stripped of any tanks/ordnance and fully prepared to even come close to the claimed max speeds.

The FA-50 could fly without fueltanks 1.400km, for small Ireland more than enough. No fuel tanks necessary at all at QRA.

Even the Mirage 2000 could fly not more than Mach 1,6 with missiles and one drop tank. F-16AM only Mach 1,4. Denmark is using it for decades, also with one QRA aircraft with one tank/one aircraft with two tanks and four missiles each.

[Glidepath]

great ideas, but will they have enough man-/girl power for fast or slow jets in the short and long term..................?

Remember a few years ago Poland had Mil Mi-24s for QRA duties. (as an interim measure)

so, some extra AW139/169/189 in the IAC fleet could bring some degree of commonality with existing rotory asssets and
any such choppers armed with high-end fire and forget AA and or anti-shiping missiles....equals QRA Polish Style with multi-role mission capability.
Bonus:
Easy fielding from any Forward Op. heli Base;
No requirement for a costly xK metre long RWY(s);
No costly runway repair equipement or crew needed;
No sound barrier breaking complaints.