Australia says ‘goodbye Taipans, hello Black Hawks’
Australia is procuring the UH-60M Black Hawk to replace its MRH90 Taipan fleet. (Photo: Gordon Arthur)
After considerable dithering over the fate of the MRH90 helicopter fleet, Australia has made a decision to replace the European-designed type.
Australia has confirmed its replacement of the MRH90 Taipan helicopter fleet with American-built Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawks.
On 18 January, the government announced its procurement of 40 Black Hawks for the Australian Army. This is the same quantity as the US State Department’s approval on 25 August last year.
The acquisition is worth an estimated $A2.8 billion ($1.96 billion) if all options are exercised under US approval.
The new Black Hawks will operate out of Oakey in Queensland and Holsworthy in New South Wales.
The wording by Australian officials was rather vague, so it is unclear whether the contract
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![January Drone Digest: MALE, rotary-wing and loitering munition UAVs dominate early 2026]()
January Drone Digest: MALE, rotary-wing and loitering munition UAVs dominate early 2026
The first month of 2026 has seen activity in the MALE, rotary-wing, and loitering munition UAV markets, with significant investments and commitments from Germany, Turkey, the UAE and the US. At the same time, questions over loitering munition performance in Ukraine highlight the growing scrutiny alongside rising demand.
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: Early adopters and big spenders point to UAV market opportunities]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: Early adopters and big spenders point to UAV market opportunities
While an estimated $37.99bn is still to be awarded across the Asia-Pacific uncrewed aerial vehicle market, the balance of potential future spending is unevenly split between various countries, with significant opportunities to be found in the collaborative combat aircraft space.
-
![British Army ACP project progresses with contract selection expected March 2026]()
British Army ACP project progresses with contract selection expected March 2026
Known as Project Nyx, the loyal wingman developed from this initiative will accompany the Apache 64-E and be used to complement tanks and artillery.
-
![UK MoD awards investment for full production of RAF’s Eurofighter Typhoon radar upgrade]()
UK MoD awards investment for full production of RAF’s Eurofighter Typhoon radar upgrade
The contract deal will enable the production and integration of the Eurofighter Typhoon’s new Eurofighter Common Radar System Mk 2 on part of the UK Royal Air Force’s fleet.
-
![Bayraktar TB2: The $4.11 billion market success of a cost-effective MALE UAV]()
Bayraktar TB2: The $4.11 billion market success of a cost-effective MALE UAV
The success of the Bayraktar TB2 stems from it fulfilling a niche of providing reasonable capabilities at a low cost, leading to its acquisition by more than 30 countries including many in Africa; but there are reasons to be cautious about its potential future prospects.
-
![Podcast: Critical Care episode 7 - Designing sustainment into the future]()
Podcast: Critical Care episode 7 - Designing sustainment into the future
Sustainment has long been seen as a downstream concern — something to be managed after procurement. But what happens when you flip that mindset?
