Irish Air Corps EC135 replacement

On 30 December 2024, the Irish Air Corps (IAC) announced that they are to receive four Airbus H145M helicopters. The new helicopters are acquired as replacements for the EC135P2+ utility helicopters currently in service with 302 Squadron.

The IAC operates two EC135s, serial 270 (c/n 0425) and serial 271 (c/n 0431). Both were delivered in November 2005. The EC135's current missions are pilot training, army support, air ambulance, VIP & military transport and general utility.

The new H145M will bring with it an improvement over the capabilities of the EC135. The H145, which is derived from the BK117, is larger than the EC135 and can carry up to nine passengers, compared to seven for the latter. It also has an increased maximum takeoff weight and longer range.

The IAC also announced that the H145M will be equipped with ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) that will enable it to carry out related missions. One of these will be armed support, something the EC135 is not equipped for.

The new helicopters will also be used to train pilots for the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU). GASU is part of the Police and currently operates two EC135s. EC135T1 256 (c/n 0149) was delivered in December 2002. This was followed by EC135T2+ 272 (c/n 0478), which was officially handed over in January 2008.

These two EC135s are also slated for replacement. Under a separate contract, two H145s will be acquired. The first of these, serialled 287, was first noted at Airbus' Donauwörth facility in September 2024, with test registration D-HBTS applied.

First delivery of the H145M to the IAC is expected early in 2027.

Credit photo: Airbus Helicopters