The Air Corps will receive eight training aircraft under a €40 million contract signed by the Minister of Defence, Mr Smith, today.
The advanced turbo trainer aircraft will be supplied by Swiss company Pilatus.
The planes are too slow to intercept a jumbo jet so their anti-terror role is negligible. They will, however, allow pilots to train using rockets and cannon.
The Air Corps is expected to take the planes at Baldonnel, Co Dublin, in about 15 to 18 months.
