The Government is set to spend more than €45 million on a new ministerial jet that can be equipped with countermeasures to protect it against missiles and anti-aircraft artillery.
The Department of Defence published tender documents on Friday for the supply of a replacement for its current Learjet 45, which has been in service since it was purchased for €8 million in 2004.
The existing government jet has been plagued by technical problems and Tánaiste Micheál Martin was left stranded in Brussels last year when the aircraft was unable to bring him home.
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The new dual-engine jet will have capacity for at least 10 passengers and a range exceeding 3,500 nautical miles without refuelling, according to the tender documents.
It must also be capable of being fitted with a Defensive Aid Suite (DAS), which is a military aircraft system designed to protect a plane from attack by surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles, as well as guided anti-aircraft artillery.
The system typically comprises chaffs, flares and electronic countermeasures to avert strikes, as well as using radar warning receivers to detect incoming threats.
The contracted supplier will also be required to provide training for crew, including pilots, flight attendants and maintenance personnel.
The jet will primarily be used for ministerial air transport, according to the tender, but may also be used for “non-combatant evacuation operations” for Irish citizens in critical situations, as well as medical emergencies.
The new government jet is expected to cost €45.4 million excluding VAT, the tender documents reveal, and prospective suppliers have until December 13 to respond to the advertisement.
The procurement of a new plane has already cost the Government €80,000 after it contracted consultancy firm PriceWaterhouseCooper to provide advice on the purchasing process.
Both the range and seating capacity of the new jet will represent an upgrade from the current Learjet, which has eight seats and a range of less than 2,000 miles.
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