Ireland's new government jet missing Israeli fog‑landing system

Ireland has taken delivery of a €53 million Dassault Falcon 6X to replace its ageing Learjet, but the aircraft was supplied without the FalconEye low‑visibility system. The system, co‑developed by Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems, uses infrared cameras and sensors to enable safe landings in fog, snow or darkness. Irish officials omitted it to comply with a 2024 policy that bans procurement of Israeli‑origin defence components in response to the Gaza conflict. The Department of Defence says the jet can operate without the system, but pilots warn that in dense fog the aircraft may have to divert to alternate airports, limiting its utility for the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, and other senior ministers. The decision highlights a political stance that coexists with continued use of Israeli technology in other Irish military platforms, such as Airbus‑Helionix helicopters and radar on maritime patrol aircraft.