Ireland’s newly acquired $61 million government aircraft is entering service without an advanced landing system designed for poor weather after the country declined to purchase Israeli-made equipment, a decision that has drawn scrutiny given Ireland’s notoriously foggy climate.

The new Dassault Falcon 6X, which will serve as the primary aircraft for transporting Ireland’s senior leadership, was delivered without the FalconEye navigation system. The equipment, typically installed in the aircraft’s nose, enables pilots to land safely in low-visibility conditions such as heavy fog and mist, according to Irish outlet The Journal.

Sources cited by the publication said the FalconEye system is manufactured by Israeli defense company Elbit, making it incompatible with the Irish government’s policy of avoiding Israeli products.

The policy traces back to remarks made in 2024 by Ireland’s current Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, when he was serving as the country’s foreign minister. At the time, Martin stated that the Irish government would not purchase products made in Israel.

The omission is especially notable because Ireland is well known for its damp, overcast weather, with fog and low cloud frequently affecting air travel throughout the country.

The Republic receives only about 1,100 to 1,600 hours of sunshine each year, placing it among Europe’s cloudiest nations.

Cork Airport, the country’s second-largest airport after Dublin, records approximately 99 foggy days annually, underscoring the potential value of an advanced low-visibility landing system.

Built by Dassault Aviation SA, the Falcon 6X can accommodate up to 14 passengers and is intended primarily to transport the Taoiseach, Ireland’s prime minister, along with other senior government officials on official travel.

The aircraft entered service at the end of 2025, replacing the Irish government’s aging Learjet.

Despite Dublin’s stance against purchasing Israeli products, the report noted that Ireland’s newly acquired Air Corps helicopters are equipped with Israeli-made flight systems because those aircraft cannot operate without the technology.

Relations between Ireland and Israel have deteriorated sharply since the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks and the ensuing war in Gaza.

In recent years, Ireland has supported international legal proceedings accusing Israel of genocide before the International Court of Justice. The Irish government has also formally recognized a Palestinian state and imposed entry bans on senior Israeli officials.

The diplomatic dispute has continued to escalate, with Israel ultimately closing its embassy in Dublin, citing what it described as the Irish government’s policies and hostile rhetoric toward the Jewish state.

{Matzav.com}