ALTEA delivers new Falcon 6X aircraft to Department of Defense in Ireland

ALTEA announced on Jan. 30 that it has delivered a factory-new Falcon 6X to the Government of Ireland in Dec. 2025. The aircraft is the first military-registered Falcon 6X and replaces a Learjet 45 that was over two decades old. The Dassault jet is configured for up to 14 passengers with a maximum range of over 5,500 nm and a maximum operating speed of 690 mph. ALTEA claims that it can comfortably reach as far as the U.S's west coast from Baldonnel, Ireland. "This aircraft represents a major step forward in the State's strategic reach, delivering enhanced capability in airlift, medical evacuation, and government transport," said Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, on delivery. "Its range, performance, and advanced systems will enable us to support Irish citizens and Defence Forces personnel across the globe with greater speed, safety, and flexibility. The arrival of the Falcon 6X also comes at an important moment in our development as we progress toward becoming an Air Force. It reflects not only an investment in modern equipment, but in the future role, ambition, and operational reach of Ireland's air capability." RELATED STORIES:Dassault Aviation will manufacture Falcon 2000 LXS Business Jets outside of France Business aviation support company completes maiden flight to Antarctica in Falcon 8X jet Collins Aerospace announces Venue smart monitor service entry on Falcon 7XThe Irish government announced the Falcon jet's purchase in Dec. 2024. It was acquired under a Defence andamp; Security Directive that required the acquisition of a new mid-sized strategic reach aircraft for air transport and broader utility use. ALTEA claims to have been specifically responsible for defining and formalising the requirements, specifications, award criteria and scoring of the tender while also providing advice on the contract. "ALTEA provides a highly experienced team to manage projects of this scale and sensitivity," said ALTEA Partner Jean Sémiramoth. "Working with complete trust and discretion, we collaborated closely with the team at the Irish Air Corps and Department of Defence over a nine-month period to strengthen the State's transport with an aircraft ideally suited for a range of operations including airlift, and medical evacuation capabilities, while supporting defence forces' missions such as evacuating citizens, transferring patients, and transporting supplies abroad. Remarkably, our team was able to quickly establish and formulate key objectives: working closely with all stakeholders allowed ALTEA to meet their needs for rationalising and expediting the whole process, effectively and efficiently."