Fighter jets for the Air Corps?

Neither.

Its a Rafale of the French Air Force at St Dizier. Its the shed in the background that's of note. The RAF use something similar overseas.

If memory serves for some of the bases in Southern US they also have light cover rather than HAS for some types. Those that use them are really relying on previous generations of investment, I mean how many new HAS capacity have been built in North America or Europe recently? Most I would think are using legacy investments because they are already sunk costs so why wouldn’t they?

Initially yes. In fact we wouldn't really have another option.

But if we did ultimately get serious about fast jets, it would be good for the DF and for the whole programme to deliver all levels of training at home.

Spot on, was in Cyprus many years ago and see the RAF use those hangars in Akrotiri…

They wouldn't really keep them out of the elements in a damp Irish winter of sideways rain and low temperatures.

If not hardened hangars, we'd certainly need more standard hangar space, likely 200% more than currently exists at Baldonnell.

A Hanger should not be an issue cost wise. At the end of the day they are just a glorfied Steel Portal Frame.

Look at the Hanger in custume barracks

Is that just to have a Midland base for a helicopter or do they expect to have HEMS long term?

With the private HEMS base being set up by the HSE in cork is the plan to have Private Hems for the north of the country long term

The only problem with private HEMS and the IRCG they can not offer the service the air corps can such as landing in your garden if needs be

I dont belive they can Private HEMS/IRCG have to land at a designated zone such as a football pitch. The air corps are not bound by civil aivation law so they can land in peoples gardens and housing estates which they do

I could be very wrong about the above but its what i remember i read in a HSE report

The Cork Charity helicopter is being funded fully by the HSE now untill the new contract comes in to effect in the next 12 months.

Jolly interesting article Dohville if rather technical. I'm sold on this one!

Ehhhh, no.

One crucial word missing from that entire article, is 'interceptor'.

Poland is buying a light combat aircraft as an F-16 / F-35 gateway, but also one with significant air-ground capability, useful to a Country with massive land frontier facing in the direction of the most belligerent power on Earth.

That picture in the article of the FA-50s in formation with an A-10, tells you all you need to know.

Poland's needs do not equal Ireland's needs. Ireland's needs are for a capable all-weather interceptor with over horizon anti-air and probably anti-ship capabilities.

That's not the FA-50.

In another era, my prescription would be 16 x F-14s, but realistically now, its the F-16, F/A-18 or JAS-39.

If we bought The Polish built FA50 i am sure there would be some EU Funding to help the purchase to enable EU defence on the western side of the block

A PC-9 can fire air to air missiles.

If any plane doesn't have the outright speed or range to close to target or loiter to establish contact in a CAP pattern, then what good is it?

The FA-50 can fly at Mach 1.5, but its range is only 1,800 kms and that range is most certainly not at high speed.

In case it hasn't escaped your attention, we don't have tanker aircraft, or even a west coast base.

Let Ulick McEvaddy build his terminal at dublin airport and he can sort out our refuelling

It can carry up to three external tanks, but how does that interact with top speed is a different question.