Ireland's government jet delivered without Israeli system

Ireland's new government jet was delivered without a specialist navigation system because the technology was manufactured in Israel, in line with a government policy of restricting purchases from Israeli defence firms. The €53 million Dassault Falcon 6X, which entered service in December 2025, does not include the FalconEye enhanced vision system, which helps pilots land in fog and other low-visibility conditions.

Procurement officials reportedly determined that fitting the FalconEye system would require the government to enter a direct written agreement with its Israeli manufacturer, Elbit Systems, a step deemed incompatible with a 2024 policy. That policy, introduced by then-Defence Minister Micheál Martin, now the Taoiseach, restricted the purchase of defence equipment containing Israeli-made components. Officials confirmed that no such agreement was signed, and the system was omitted from the aircraft.

The Department of Defence has stated that the aircraft currently faces no operational limitations. However, aviation experts and former pilots have suggested the absence of the system reduces operational options. Former Irish Air Corps pilot Kevin Phipps explained that such...