The Air Corps is expected to receive four new jet training aircraft through a self-financing package involving the sale of the 270-acre airfield at Gormanston, Co Meath.
The sale of the airfield along with a number of other properties in Dublin, Kildare and Cork as part of a programme by the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, could raise more than £100 million for the re-equipment of the Defence Forces.
The purchase of the aircraft will provide improved training resources as part of an expansion programme that will include the acquisition of a new Government jet and medium-lift military and search-and-rescue helicopters.
Government sources have confirmed that the Mr Smith is examining the sale of Gormanston to finance the purchase of four new jet training aircraft.
The 270-acre site has frontage on to the old Dublin-Belfast road and railway line. The site is in a highly sought-after location for residential development. It is likely to fetch up to £200,000 an acre, probably raising about £40 million.
This sale would finance the purchase of the training aircraft, which are likely to cost £25 million, along with ancillary and back-up equipment.
At present the Air Corps is unable to meet its commitments, and the Government is deprived regularly of official transport. It is also common for the Government jet to be diverted to Dublin Airport because the Air Corps is unable to provide landing facilities at its main base at Baldonnel, although almost 1,000 personnel work there.
Air Corps pilots are also deprived of flight training. Military sources say that lack of experience was probably the main factor in the crash of the Air Corps Dauphin helicopter at Tramore strand in Waterford last year, with the death of the four crew members.
A near-fatal accident occurred just over a year ago when another helicopter went out of control on a flight from Shannon to Dublin. Three gardai besides the Air Corps pilot were on board.
The self-financing package to upgrade training is being considered by the Minister due to the likely financial restraints on Government spending in the coming year, because of the slowdown in the economy and the impact of the foot-and-mouth crisis.
Mr Smith has already embarked on an extensive sale of military property to help finance the most extensive re-equipment programme of the Defence Forces. They are due to receive up to five medium-lift helicopters, up to 60 armoured personnel carriers and tactical support vehicles.
This is in part financed by a reduction of the Defence Forces but also from the sale of barracks. In the coming year barracks at Kildare town; Ballincollig, Co Cork; and in Dublin are expected to be sold.