Gardaí Take Delivery of New Surveillance Aircraft
Gardaí take delivery of new Twin Otter surveillance aircraft, set to become operational in 2026.
- An Garda Síochána has taken formal possession of a new fixed-wing surveillance aircraft, with the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter "Guardian 400" expected to become operational in the first half of 2026.
The aircraft arrived at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel after being fitted with specialist surveillance equipment in Austria by Airborne Technologies.
The new Twin Otter replaces the Garda Air Support Unit's Pilatus Britten-Norman Defender 4000, which has served the unit since 1997.
While An Garda Síochána maintains operational control of the aircraft through the Department of Justice, Irish Air Corps personnel provide pilots and carry out maintenance. The aircraft is maintained on the Irish military register.
Reports indicate the aircraft and its mission surveillance fit-out cost approximately €7 million, with a separate maintenance contract valued at around €4 million.
The Garda Air Support Unit uses its aircraft to support a range of operations including intelligence gathering, evidence collection, search support, traffic monitoring and management, and public order and crime operations.
The Guardian 400 variant is a specialist surveillance platform equipped with daylight and thermal cameras, communications suites, and downlink/uplink technology. It can also be configured with radar and electro-optical sensors.
While formal handover has now taken place, the aircraft is not expected to enter operational service until the first half of 2026.
