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
-
![US Navy acquires additional anti-submarine warfare kits for P-8A Poseidon aircraft]()
US Navy acquires additional anti-submarine warfare kits for P-8A Poseidon aircraft
The contract modification, awarded to Boeing, is worth $61.2 million and will support the US Navy’s (USN's) evolution of its P-8 Poseidon aircraft as continued upgrades are made to boost its capabilities and lethality.
-
![Union slams “self-sabotage” of UK government over Typhoon production]()
Union slams “self-sabotage” of UK government over Typhoon production
The UK Ministry of Defence remains resolute that the Typhoon sits at the heart of the country’s air defence capabilities and is focused on the aircraft’s potential export orders, despite its continued focus on F-35 procurement.
-
![South Korea considers cancellation of second AH-64E Apache helicopter purchase]()
South Korea considers cancellation of second AH-64E Apache helicopter purchase
The likely scrapping of Boeing’s Apache helicopter comes after a huge budget cut approved by the South Korean National Assembly. The helicopter procurement had already been reconsidered by the country’s Joint Chiefs of Staff earlier in the year.
-
![UK to receive 27 additional F-35 aircraft by end of decade]()
UK to receive 27 additional F-35 aircraft by end of decade
The number of aircraft was stated by UK Defence Secretary John Healey during a Defence Committee hearing. It follows on from the UK’s decision to purchase F-35A aircraft to boost its nuclear deterrence, although hurdles and questions about the order still remain.
-
![What lessons could Europe learn from air power use in Ukraine?]()
What lessons could Europe learn from air power use in Ukraine?
The use of air power by both sides in the ongoing conflict has been extensively focused on, influencing policy and procurement around the world. But are the lessons from the front line universally applicable, or should other nations be planning for very different scenarios?
-
![Paraguayan Air Force receives four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft]()
Paraguayan Air Force receives four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft
Six Super Tucano aircraft were ordered in July 2024, with Paraguay the fifth South American country to add the aircraft to modernise its fleet.
