Ireland’s new Dassault Falcon 6X government jet entered service without the optional FalconEye enhanced vision system after procurement officials declined a direct contract with Elbit Systems over the Israeli company’s links, leaving the €53 million aircraft with a reduced low-visibility capability. The jet was accepted shortly before Christmas 2025 and is used by the Irish Air Corps for government transport and other state missions.
FalconEye is a cockpit aid designed to improve approach and landing awareness in poor weather by combining infrared-style sensing with terrain data. The absence of the system has drawn attention because it affects an aircraft that was purchased to replace the government’s ageing Learjet and support missions including official travel, medical evacuation and repatriation.
Ireland’s Defence Department told lawmakers in April that the aircraft currently faces no operational restrictions despite the missing equipment. The issue has revived scrutiny of Dublin’s procurement stance on Israeli defence suppliers, even though there has been no reported operational incident or policy reversal since the jet was delivered.