Ireland’s Department of Defence has rejected claims that its Dassault Falcon 6X government jet operates with reduced capability, saying the aircraft has no current operational limitations. The Air Corps jet, based at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, has been at the centre of reports that it was delivered without FalconEye, the optional enhanced-vision system designed to improve low-visibility and fog landings.
Irish media reported that the omission was linked to Dublin’s 2024 policy of avoiding new direct defence procurement contracts with Israeli companies, including Elbit Systems, which co-developed the system. The department declined to discuss specifications for operational reasons, but the reported position was that the aircraft remains fully capable of carrying out its intended missions.
The issue has drawn attention because FalconEye is intended to support operations in poor weather and because the Falcon 6X is the government’s main VIP transport aircraft. The public reporting available on the matter centres on the department’s response in early August, which is the clearest recent confirmation in circulation.