Jervis Bay helicopter crash landing renews focus on Australian Army's troubled Taipan fleet

This week's dramatic crash landing of an Army Taipan helicopter is prompting renewed focus and debate on Australia's troubled history with its European designed MRH-90 fleet, which will soon be replaced by American made UH-60 Black Hawks. Key points: The Defence Flight Safety Bureau is investigating a helicopter ditch in Jervis Bay A damaged rotor blade visible while the helicopter was stranded on the beach Insiders claim Australia has failed to properly maintain and manage the complex MRH-90 fleet The Defence Flight Safety Bureau has begun a formal investigation into why the multi-role helicopter was forced to ditch into the sea at Jervis Bay while taking part in counterterrorism exercises on Wednesday night. Before Wednesday night's emergency, the Taipan fleet had been grounded several times over safety concerns and in 2019 the ABC revealed the MRH-90 remained on Defence's Project of Concerns list. Defence insiders have acknowledged the more expensive Taipan helicopter has numerous features which make it superior to the Black Hawk but claim Australia has failed to properly maintain and manage the complex MRH-90 fleet effectively.