ByJAMES GENN
Updated:

Ireland's new government jet, which cost the republic €53m., was purchased without FalconEye, a technology co-developed by Dassault Falcon and Israeli defense giant Elbit Systems, that is essential for the aircraft to land in foggy weather, local media reported on Tuesday.

FalconEye sits on the plane's nose and helps it to land in foggy weather, or in other weather conditions that limit visibility, Irish outlet The Journal noted.

According to Dassault Falcon's official website, it is "an advanced combined vision system (CVS) developed by Dassault Aviation in partnership with Elbit Systems. Designed for executive and military jets, it merges enhanced real-world video (EVS) with database-driven synthetic terrain mapping (SVS) to provide pilots with unprecedented situational awareness in zero-visibility conditions like fog, snow, or darkness."

Dublin's Defense Department denied the issue, saying the new aircraft has “no current limits” on its operational capability.

The jet, a Dassault Falcon 6X, is primarily used to transport the Irish Taoiseach (prime minister), as well as other government ministers and officials, when traveling on official state business.

A man wearing a mask depicting Ireland’s Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheal Martin holds a poster and props during a protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza to mark the 77th anniversary of the ''Nakba'', or ''catastrophe'', in Dublin, Ireland, May 17, 2025.
A man wearing a mask depicting Ireland’s Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheal Martin holds a poster and props during a protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza to mark the 77th anniversary of the ''Nakba'', or ''catastrophe'', in Dublin, Ireland, May 17, 2025. (credit: Clodagh Kilcoyn/Reuters)

The new jet was delivered in December 2025, and can carry 14 passengers. It replaced the government’s Learjet, and is operated by the Irish Air Corps (the military's air force).

The FalconEye provides "the ability to land in fog when other aircraft would have to divert to another airport," former IAC pilot Kevin Phipps was cited by The Journal as saying.

Irish PM promises not to purchase equipment featuring Israeli technology

Taoiseach Micheal Martin, in 2024 when serving as foreign minister, said that Ireland would not purchase equipment that features Israeli-made products, Irish media cited.

Despite this, The Journal found that four helicopters belonging to the IAC were delivered with flight systems co-developed by Elbit and Airbus, as "the craft cannot be built without them."

Additionally, a maritime patrol craft was delivered with an Israeli-made radar, The Journal added.