Australia has stated that it would replace its fleet of European-designed Taipan military helicopters with 40 American-made Black Hawk helicopters at an estimated cost of $2.8 billion Australian dollars ($1.97 billion USD). UH-60M Black Hawks from US manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp will replace Australia’s fleet of MRH-90 Taipan helicopters, which have been beset with costly maintenance troubles for years, Defense Minister Richard Marles announced on Wednesday.
Marles told ABC News, “We just lack the required number of flight hours from the Taipan.” “We are convinced that the Black Hawks can provide that. It is a platform with which we are accustomed.” The French government has a substantial investment in Airbus, the European aircraft company that builds Taipans, and Paris had urged Australia to retain its 40-strong fleet. Marles stated that he had many conversations with his French colleague and was certain that the US helicopter contract “would not disrupt” the rebuilt friendship with France. Airbus stated in a statement that it “acknowledges” the decision and that Australia continues to be an important market for the firm. Australia’s decision in 2021 to abandon French-made submarines in favor of nuclear subs to be constructed by the United States and the United Kingdom led to a thawing of ties between Paris and Canberra. Australia’s then-conservative government’s unexpected decision to pull up a $90 billion agreement with France for the supply of submarines prompted a violent diplomatic conflict, and relations plunged. At the height of the scandal, French President Emmanuel Macron accused the then-prime minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, of lying about the contract, and Paris withdrew its ambassador from Canberra. Marles expressed confidence that the helicopter contract would not harm relations with France, which had been somewhat mended since the submarine dispute. “Honesty in dealing with the French is of utmost importance,” he told ABC, a national network.
The procurement of Black Hawks coincides with Australia’s decision to increase its defense budget in response to China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific area. General Major Jeremy King of Australia stated that the Black Hawks will suit the country’s strategic requirements. King told ABC News that this acquisition will allow Australia to continue to protect itself and respond to emergencies in a safe and effective manner for years to come.
