Ukraine wants Australia's decommissioned Taipan fleet, but helicopters appear destined for scrap yard
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Ukraine wants Australia's decommissioned Taipan fleet, but helicopters appear destined for scrap yard

ABC  

Protesters from the Ukrainian community are stepping up pressure on the Albanese government over its decision to dismantle and bury Australia's retired fleet of Taipan helicopters instead of sending them to the war-torn nation. Key points: Australia retired its fleet last year, earlier than expected, after a fatal crash Ukraine requested the aircraft in December despite its well-documented safety concerns Australia has so far provided the war-torn country with over 100 Bushmasters In September last year, the Australian Army's MRH-90 helicopters were retired 14-months earlier than scheduled, after a crash in Queensland killed four defence personnel during a training exercise two months earlier. The co-chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, Kateryna Argyrou, said, "the Russian federation has complete air superiority over Ukraine and those 45 Taipan helicopters could end up on the Ukrainian front line, it would go a very long way to help Ukrainians fight for freedom and democracy." "Defence is working with Airbus Australia Pacific and NATO Helicopter Industries to harvest key spares from the MRH-90 fleet for the use of other NH90 operators," they added.

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History of this topic

Last-ditch offer to divert Taipan helicopters from being scrapped to help Ukraine
11 months ago

Last-ditch offer to divert Taipan helicopters from being scrapped to help Ukraine

ABC  

In short: Army veterans and engineers are volunteering to rebuild Australia's grounded fleet of Taipan helicopters. Army veterans and engineers who once worked on Australia's now grounded fleet of Taipan helicopters are volunteering to rebuild the aircraft so they can be sent to Ukraine rather than be buried in an expensive disposal process. "Former ADF personnel would love to, most …

Australia formally rejects request from Ukraine for troubled MRH-90 Taipan helicopter fleet
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Australia formally rejects request from Ukraine for troubled MRH-90 Taipan helicopter fleet

ABC  

The federal government has formally rejected a request from Ukraine to access Australia's fleet of the now-retired Taipan helicopters. Key points: The federal government has rejected Ukraine's request for Australia's retired MHR-90 Taipan helicopters The government says none of the aircraft are in "flying condition" and are being dismantled The Taipans were retired in September 2023 following a number of …

Retiring Australia's Taipan helicopters will cost 400 local jobs, manufacturer says
1 year, 3 months ago

Retiring Australia's Taipan helicopters will cost 400 local jobs, manufacturer says

ABC  

About 400 Australian aerospace support workers are facing redundancy after a fleet of MRH-90 Taipan helicopters has been retired early, the head of the European manufacturer says. Key points: The Taipan manufacturer says retiring the aircraft early will immediately impact aerospace support workers The Australian Defence says it's working with industry partners to support them through this transition Defence Minister …

Australian Defence Force MRH-90 Taipan helicopters involved in Whitsundays crash retired early
1 year, 3 months ago

Australian Defence Force MRH-90 Taipan helicopters involved in Whitsundays crash retired early

ABC  

The Australian Defence Force's MRH-90 Taipan helicopter fleet — one of which was involved in a fatal military training exercise in the Whitsundays — has been retired early. Key points: MRH-90 Taipan helicopters involved in a fatal military training exercise in the Whitsundays have been retired early The helicopter fleet had been grounded multiple times over malfunctions The Black Hawk …

Searchers find black box of Australian army Taipan helicopter that crashed with the loss of 4 lives
1 year, 5 months ago

Searchers find black box of Australian army Taipan helicopter that crashed with the loss of 4 lives

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — Divers have recovered the flight data recorder from an Australia army helicopter that crashed at sea, killing the four crewmembers, during a military exercise with the United States last month, officials said Tuesday. Recovering the black box was a priority to help determine the cause of the crash of the MRH-90 Taipan during a nighttime operation July …

No hope army crewmen on MRH90 Taipan chopper will be found alive, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says
1 year, 5 months ago

No hope army crewmen on MRH90 Taipan chopper will be found alive, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says

ABC  

There is no longer hope that four crew onboard an Australian Army helicopter that crashed in Queensland's Whitsundays have survived, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has said. Contact during office hours 1300 620 380 Four crew were on board at the time – Captain Danniel Lyon, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Warrant Officer Class Two Joseph Laycock and Corporal Alexander Naggs. Mr …

Exploring the troubled history of the Australian Army's Taipan helicopters
1 year, 5 months ago

Exploring the troubled history of the Australian Army's Taipan helicopters

ABC  

Four people are feared dead after an Australian Army helicopter crashed into the ocean off north Queensland — the second emergency involving the trouble-plagued MRH90 Taipan fleet in less than six months. In 2021, then-defence minister Peter Dutton said the performance of the MRH90 Taipan had been an "ongoing and well-documented concern for Defence" and there had been a "significant …

Helicopter wreckage found after Taipan crash, search continues to locate four-person crew
1 year, 5 months ago

Helicopter wreckage found after Taipan crash, search continues to locate four-person crew

ABC  

Around 800 defence and emergency services personnel have joined the search for four crew members of an Army MRH90 helicopter that ditched into the ocean on Friday night, as authorities begin to examine wreckage recovered on Saturday afternoon. Key points: The search for four crew members is ongoing as wreckage from their chopper is discovered Specialist divers will explore the …

ADF to investigate after MRH-90 Taipan helicopter ditches near Jervis Bay
1 year, 9 months ago

ADF to investigate after MRH-90 Taipan helicopter ditches near Jervis Bay

ABC  

A witness has described the moment an army helicopter carrying elite soldiers ditched into Jervis Bay on the New South Wales South Coast during routine counterterrorism training. Key points: All 10 personnel on board the Australian Army MRH-90 Taipan multi-role helicopter were recovered from the water The Chief of Army says the quick response helped avoid a "potential tragedy" The …

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