Australia will spend $2 billion to purchase 40 U.S. Black Hawk choppers

By Lewis Jackson

SYDNEY, (Reuters) – Australia has confirmed that it will purchase 40 Black Hawk military helicopters for A$2.8 billion ($1.96 Billion), following a U.S. State Department sale in August.

Lockheed Martin Corp UH-60M Black Hawks is replacing the Army’s MRH-90 Taipan choppers. They have been plagued for years with maintenance issues. The new helicopters will be delivered in the coming year.

On Wednesday, Defence Minister Richard Marles stated to ABC News that “We have just not gotten the flying hours out from the Taipan we would need.” “We are confident that we will be able to get that from Black Hawks. It’s a platform that we are familiar with.”

Australia has been increasing its defense spending in recent years, as China seeks to expand its presence within the Indo-Pacific region.

The bitter diplomatic dispute with France erupted after the United States and Britain decided to abandon French-made submarines in 2021 to build nuclear submarines.

Marles stated that he had spoken to his French counterpart many times and was confident that the U.S. helicopter deal would not “interrupt” the new relationship with France. Airbus partially owns France’s Taipans.

According to the Defence Department, the Australian industry will participate in logistics, warehousing and engineering.

($1 = 1.4316 Australian dollars)

(Reporting and editing by Lewis Jackson; editing by Michael Perry