Ireland's new government jet arrives without fog-landing system due to Israeli parts boycott
Ireland’s recently delivered Dassault Falcon 6X, intended as a VIP transport, lacks the FalconEye fog-landing sensor because the country has barred Israeli components.
Ireland has taken delivery of a Dassault Falcon 6X intended to serve as a government “Air Force One,” but the plane was delivered without the FalconEye navigation aid that allows pilots to land in low-visibility weather. The decision stems from a boycott of Israeli-origin parts, a stance reiterated by Taoiseach Micheál Martin after his 2024 foreign-ministerial remarks. The omission is notable given Ireland’s reputation for cloudy, fog-prone conditions, with locations like Cork Airport recording nearly a hundred foggy days each year.
The jet, capable of carrying 14 passengers, will mainly transport the Taoiseach and senior officials, replacing an older Learjet. In contrast, four newly acquired Irish Air Corps helicopters still feature Israeli-manufactured flight systems, as those components are deemed indispensable. The move reflects broader tensions in Irish-Israeli relations following the 2023 Oct. 7 attacks and subsequent conflict in Gaza.
Why it matters
The lack of a critical safety system on the government jet highlights how political boycotts can affect national procurement and operational safety.
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