Ireland decides it likes the T.11s and goes for a full spectrum of Vampires, adding FB.5 single-seat fighter bombers and NF.10 night fighters.

Article from 2020 about the Irish government studying the possibility of buying 16 interceptor aircraft due to continued Russian air space violations:

https://www.overtdefense.com/2020/07/02/ireland-contemplates-buying-new-interceptor-aircraft/

Feasible options strike me as:

Second-hand F-16s

Saab Gripens

Some sort of co-funded shared-fleet scheme with the UK that sees Irish-marked Typhoons stationed in Eire and flown (eventually) by Irish pilots, but using the RAF maintenance/logistics/training infrastructure. Makes military sense but might be a hard sell politically.

Perhaps some leased F-16ADVs from the boneyard?
Or maybe a joint EU funded effort with EU forces air policing Irish air space
Alternatively are there any Swiss F-5s still in storage for lease?

Quote from: Geoff on February 04, 2023, 07:44:17 AMPerhaps some leased F-16ADVs from the boneyard?
Or maybe a joint EU funded effort with EU forces air policing Irish air space
Alternatively are there any Swiss F-5s still in storage for lease?

I have been reading that Brazilian F-5Es could not pick up a Vulcan with their airborne radar and needed GCI. So I suspect the Tigers would not be a good choice.
Legacy Hornets anyone? Was wondering about operating costs though.

Quote from: Geoff on February 05, 2023, 05:05:50 AM

Quote from: Geoff on February 04, 2023, 07:44:17 AMPerhaps some leased F-16ADVs from the boneyard?
Or maybe a joint EU funded effort with EU forces air policing Irish air space
Alternatively are there any Swiss F-5s still in storage for lease?

I have been reading that Brazilian F-5Es could not pick up a Vulcan with their airborne radar and needed GCI. So I suspect the Tigers would not be a good choice.
Legacy Hornets anyone? Was wondering about operating costs though.

$10-30k/hour (depending on source)
https://www.businessinsider.com/price-military-aircraft-per-flight-hour-2016-8#fa-18f-8
https://sofrep.com/fightersweep/the-real-cost-per-flight-hour-of-military-aircraft/

HAL Tejas as a dark horse. Unlikely, but good whiff fodder and they even share fin flashes.

How about a J-29?
You cannot view this attachment.
 
https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=45996.0

Indeed, how ABOUT a J-29? 

Quote from: scooter on February 05, 2023, 05:48:50 AM

Quote from: Geoff on February 05, 2023, 05:05:50 AM

Quote from: Geoff on February 04, 2023, 07:44:17 AMPerhaps some leased F-16ADVs from the boneyard?
Or maybe a joint EU funded effort with EU forces air policing Irish air space
Alternatively are there any Swiss F-5s still in storage for lease?

I have been reading that Brazilian F-5Es could not pick up a Vulcan with their airborne radar and needed GCI. So I suspect the Tigers would not be a good choice.
Legacy Hornets anyone? Was wondering about operating costs though.

$10-30k/hour (depending on source)
https://www.businessinsider.com/price-military-aircraft-per-flight-hour-2016-8#fa-18f-8
https://sofrep.com/fightersweep/the-real-cost-per-flight-hour-of-military-aircraft/

Thanks
The Gripen is <US$5k/hour
The F-16 is around US$8K/hr, so that's a no-brainer
Also the Gripen only needs a maintenance crew of 6 (only 1 needs to be specialist) to turn around with 2 vehicles at a basic airfield. (This is according to Forbes)

Forget where I read it, but when the stories came out a couple of years ago that Ireland was looking at the possibility of a squadron of air defence aircraft on option tossed out along with used F-16s/Gripens/Typhoons was the Alenia M346.  It could fit the bill nicely and according to Alenia has about a tenth of the operating cost of something like a Typhoon.  I picked up the Kinetic kit during a sale with the intent of making it Irish at some point.  I really wish IAC decals weren't as rare as unicorn tears. 

Look for Maxx Decals, two Xs, they do a range of IAC decals in all sorts of scales, some all on the same sheet.

Quote from: PR19_Kit on February 05, 2023, 12:22:21 PMLook for Maxx Decals, two Xs, they do a range of IAC decals in all sorts of scales, some all on the same sheet.

I have the Max Decals 1990-2010 sheet but after two builds it's getting a bit thin.  I'm pretty sure it's a single "x" in the name. Max not Maxx. 

Quote from: AeroplaneDriver on February 05, 2023, 11:00:02 AMForget where I read it, but when the stories came out a couple of years ago that Ireland was looking at the possibility of a squadron of air defence aircraft on option tossed out along with used F-16s/Gripens/Typhoons was the Alenia M346.  It could fit the bill nicely and according to Alenia has about a tenth of the operating cost of something like a Typhoon.  I picked up the Kinetic kit during a sale with the intent of making it Irish at some point.  I really wish IAC decals weren't as rare as unicorn tears. 

The last Airfix re-pop of their Fouga Magister had Irish markings in it. You can pick them up pretty cheaply second-hand and still have a set of Belgian markings to finish the kit with.

I'm thinking of going with second hand F-16MLUs from Benelux countries as the support infrastructure is closer to Ireland and I have one in the stash even though I read that they tried to interest them in Block 70 F-16s

Quote from: Geoff on February 08, 2023, 10:06:48 AMI'm thinking of going with second hand F-16MLUs from Benelux countries as the support infrastructure is closer to Ireland and I have one in the stash even though I read that they tried to interest them in Block 70 F-16s

I think that would be the most realistic way for Ireland to get back into the Fighter game.  It seems the cheapest and easiest to achieve of the ideas tossed around.  Thought I'd put the first Gen Gripens being retired by Sweden as a close second best bet.  Both would be great Whifs.