Ireland Removes Israeli Safety System From New Government Jet, Hindering Fog Landings

The Irish government, known for its critical stance toward Israel, demanded that the new Dassault Falcon X6 executive jet it purchased not include Israeli-made systems. Dassault complied, resulting in a state-of-the-art jet that struggles to land safely in fog and adverse weather conditions. The Irish Journal revealed that the Falcon X6, intended for transporting ministers and the prime minister, faces significant safety limitations due to Ireland's boycott of Israeli technology.

The Falcon X6 can carry 12 to 16 passengers with a maximum range of 5,500 kilometers and cost 53 million euros. It is expected to be delivered by the end of 2025 and is considered Ireland's equivalent of Air Force One. Dassault markets the jet with the Falcon EYE system, an advanced thermal camera and sensor suite developed by Israeli company Elbit, which provides pilots with clear terrain and runway visuals even in poor visibility.

This system dramatically improves landing capabilities at smaller airports lacking automatic landing equipment, reducing the need to divert flights for safety reasons. Despite Ireland's frequent winter weather challenges, the government chose to exclude the Israeli system, resulting in a less safe and more limited aircraft.