A dozen more MH-60R Seahawk helicopters have been ordered by the Royal Australian Navy from Sikorsky under the FMS programme. (Photo: RAN)
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.
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The country could be on the cusp of finalising an historic deal with Saab for up to 150 aircraft, with Belgium also increasing its number of donated F-16 aircraft to 53 with refreshed delivery timelines.
The USAF intends to conduct the second phase of the DRAGON programme from FY2026 to FY2030, while the future of the E3 replacement remains unknown.
Indonesia’s purchase of 12 drones with options for an additional 48 is the third deal in as many years between Indonesian and Turkish defence industries, bolstering the former’s plans to strengthen its own domestic production and defence industry.
The Brazilian Army is forecast to spend $279.15 million on UAVs from 2026, exceeding the Brazilian Navy’s $227.51 million forecast spend, although the naval force was an earlier adopter of the capability.
The medium airlift aircraft is swiftly becoming the top pick for an array of countries wishing to enhance their tactical transport capabilities.
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