Ireland's new €53m. jet may struggle in fog as government rejects Israeli-made landing system

Ireland's new €53m. government jet, a Dassault Falcon 6X, was delivered without the FalconEye landing system co-developed by Elbit Systems, which aids landing in fog. The Defense Department denied operational limits, but former pilot Kevin Phipps said FalconEye enables landing in fog when other aircraft divert. The purchase follows Taoiseach Micheal Martin's 2024 pledge not to buy equipment with Israeli technology, though The Journal found other IAC aircraft with Israeli-made systems.

Ireland's new government jet, a Dassault Falcon 6X costing €53 million, was purchased without the FalconEye landing system, a technology co-developed by Dassault and Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems that enables landing in fog. The aircraft, delivered in December 2025, is used to transport the Taoiseach and other officials. The Irish Defense Department denied any operational limits, but former Irish Air Corps pilot Kevin Phipps said FalconEye provides the ability to land in fog when other aircraft would divert. The purchase follows Taoiseach Micheal Martin's 2024 pledge, made as foreign minister, not to buy equipment featuring Israeli technology. However, The Journal reported that four IAC helicopters and a maritime patrol craft were delivered with Israeli-made systems, as they cannot be built without them.