Australia formally orders a dozen more Romeos
A dozen more MH-60R Seahawk helicopters have been ordered by the Royal Australian Navy from Sikorsky under the FMS programme. (Photo: RAN)
The Royal Australian Navy requires extra MH-60R helicopters under Project Sea 9100 Phase 1.
The USN has awarded Lockheed Martin company Sikorsky a contract to produce an additional 12 Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopters for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) via the FMS programme.
As a result, Sikorsky claimed on 20 September, the RAN will gain a third Romeo squadron ‘of unparalleled capability to the RAN’s Fleet Air Arm’.
The helicopters will be delivered from mid-2025 to mid-2026.
According to the original FMS notification in October 2021, the Romeos plus associated equipment and services will cost about $985 million.
The RAN previously acquired 24 MH-60Rs between 2013 and 2016 as the first international customer for the aircraft.
The latest 12 helicopters are being procured under Project Sea 9100 Phase 1 (Improved Embarked Logistics Support Helicopter Capability) in line with the expansion of the RAN surface vessel fleet, and also to replace MRH90 Taipans.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: GA-ASI unveils the PELE air-launched UAV]()
Paris Air Show 2025: GA-ASI unveils the PELE air-launched UAV
The air-launched PELE has been designed to extend the sensing capabilities of the MQ-9B and its user service through various payloads.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Portugal signs for sixth C-390 Millennium aircraft with 10 options for future European acquisition]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Portugal signs for sixth C-390 Millennium aircraft with 10 options for future European acquisition
Portugal was the second country to purchase the C-390 Millennium aircraft for its air force, originally signing for five aircraft in 2019. This order marks the first time an operator has signed an additional order for the C-390.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Lockheed says TR-3 upgrade “closing in” on completion]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Lockheed says TR-3 upgrade “closing in” on completion
The TR-3 configured F-35 aircraft have rolled off production lines since July 2024, but are still not yet combat capable and are still awaiting final sign-off for the software upgrade.
-
![Spanish Army’s VAMTAC drone acquisition progresses ongoing UAV investment]()
Spanish Army’s VAMTAC drone acquisition progresses ongoing UAV investment
Spain has made clear its intent to acquire a range of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), including those that will form part of its wider VAMTAC programme, announced in June 2025.
-
![Further funding allocated for Eurofighter Typhoon ECRS Mk2 radar programme]()
Further funding allocated for Eurofighter Typhoon ECRS Mk2 radar programme
The latest tranche of funding from the UK government comes ahead of the radar's integration into Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft from 2028.
-
![M-345 officially enters service as trainer for Italian Air Force]()
M-345 officially enters service as trainer for Italian Air Force
The Leonardo M-345 High-Efficiency Trainer (HET) basic/advanced trainer is similar to the M-346, which is the second part of the Italian Air Force’s training system, but is a substantially smaller and less powerful aircraft.
