Indo-Pacific 2022: Australia seals MH-60R and AH-64E deals
The Royal Australian Navy will receive a dozen extra MH-60R naval helicopters, to boost the current fleet by 50%. (Photo: Gordon Arthur)
Replacing European-designed helicopters, Australia has turned back to the US for attack and naval rotorcraft.
On the eve of the Indo-Pacific 2022 naval exhibition in Sydney, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed that the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) would receive 13 new Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters and the Australian Army a fleet of 29 Boeing AH-64E Apaches.
The Romeo deal is worth some A$2.5 billion ($1.75 billion), plus an additional A$360 million will be spent on upgrading HMAS Albatross in Nowra, where existing MH-60Rs are based with 725 and 816 Squadrons.
To replace one helicopter lost in a crash in the Philippine Sea in October last year, the order was bumped up from the originally
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Insight: What future remains for the E-7 Wedgetail aircraft?]()
Insight: What future remains for the E-7 Wedgetail aircraft?
The surveillance aircraft from Boeing is deployed by various countries, most notably the Royal Australian Air Force; but ongoing setbacks for future customers, who cite rising costs and delays, have thrown the aircraft into the spotlight.
-
![US combat drone plan rushes forward with first flight and selection in FY2026]()
US combat drone plan rushes forward with first flight and selection in FY2026
The US Department of Defence (DoD) previously selected Anduril Industries and General Atomics to develop production-representative prototypes under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme. A competitive Increment 1 production decision is expected in FY2026.
-
![How can you own the sky?]()
How can you own the sky?
With an unparalleled range of solutions, RTX is equipping pilots with a distinct advantage, before the mission even begins.
-
![DSEI 2025: Saab unveils new CUAS missile solution to defeat UAS swarms]()
DSEI 2025: Saab unveils new CUAS missile solution to defeat UAS swarms
The Nimbrix missile has been developed and tested over the last year and is Saab’s latest cost-effective answer to help armed forces counteract escalating numbers of uncrewed aerial threats on the battlefield.
-
![US approves possible C-17 Globemaster III sustainment support sale to UK]()
US approves possible C-17 Globemaster III sustainment support sale to UK
The potential sustainment contract will help support the Royal Air Force (RAF) fleet, amid renewed interest from countries in the heavy-lift strategic aircraft.
