The Royal Australian Navy has 23 MH-60R Seahawk aircraft in its fleet and expects the arrival of 12 more by 2036. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons / USN Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Donavan K. Patub)
Sikorsky Australia has been awarded an AU$313.5 million (US$194 million) contract to continue sustaining the MH-60R Seahawk fleet for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
The new sustainment contract will reportedly create more than 75 jobs and build on the existing workforce of 200 at Sikorsky’s maintenance and logistics support facility in Nowra, Australia. The company will also expand its regional supply chain by more than 50 percent to support growth and sustainment needs as the MH-60R fleet size increases.
With 23 aircraft currently in its fleet, the number of MH-60Rs operated by the RAN is expected to grow to 36 by 2026.
The Foreign Military Sale for 12 additional MH-60Rs was awarded by the US Navy to Lockheed Martin in 2022. These helicopters will form the RAN’s third MH-60R squadron.
The contract, according to Sikorsky, “further acknowledges” its capabilities as a regional sustainment hub, following the first ever deep maintenance conducted by Sikorsky Australia of a US Navy MH-60R Seahawk in 2023.
Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand CEO Warren McDonald said: “The recent contract reinforces the enduring partnership between Sikorsky Australia and the Royal Australian Navy to successfully sustain the Seahawks, a world-class maritime platform that brings unparalleled anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities to Australia, the US Navy and navies across the globe.”
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.
The T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer for the US Air Force reaching Milestone C is the first step towards production for the first batch of 14 aircraft, with training expected to start by 2028.
The success of the Akinci drone stems from Turkey’s push for domestically produced components – which has led to fewer export restrictions – and from manufacturer Baykar’s willingness to coproduce the drone with customers’ domestic industries.
Lithuania has committed significant funding towards expanding its UAV capabilities, with more than $54 million already spent and substantial additional investment planned through to 2029. Alongside domestic procurement, the country has also acquired various drones to support Ukraine.
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