Australia’s new $8 billion helicopters as national security on Scott Morrison’s election agenda

Australia will spend $8 billion on new helicopters from the US, as Scott Morrison moves to keep the nation safe and put national security front and centre of the election.

Australia will spend $8 billion on new helicopters from the US to replace its troubled Taipan and Tiger fleets, in a move Scott Morrison says will help keep the nation safe.

The Prime Minister will announce the finalised investments, which include $2.5bn to buy and maintain 12 new MH-60R Romeo maritime helicopters, and $5.5bn for 29 new AH-64E Apache Armed Reconnaissance helicopters, on Monday as the government seeks to put national security at the centre of the federal election agenda.

The Government has also set aside up to $360 million to expand facilities at HMAS Albatross to house the expanded fleet and up to $500 million to upgrade facilities to support the new Apache helicopters, with the total program expected to support about 300 new jobs.

An Australian Army Eurocopter Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopter (ARH).

Mr Morrison said replacing the helicopters was key to the government’s plan for a safe and secure Australia in the face of regional and global uncertainty.

“Australia and our region is now in the midst of the most consequential and challenging strategic realignment since the Second World War,” he said.

“But these investments don’t just support the Australian Defence Force, they support local jobs and skills right here.

The Romeos and Apaches will be delivered from 2025.

Last year it was confirmed the ADF would ditch its entire fleet of European-designed Taipan helicopters a decade earlier than scheduled, as it was significantly underperforming.

US Army Soldiers refuel an AH-64 Apache helicopter.

Since 2007, the Taipan helicopters suffered from poor availability rates, with Defence Minister Peter Dutton noting in the past there had been nine instances where it was “unsuitable to fly”.

Mr Dutton said of the finalised replacements, the Romeos and Apaches were “proven helicopters that would deter and respond to the threats Australia faced”.

“We’re expanding the size and capability of our helicopters to meet the threats Australia faces,” Minister Dutton said.

HMAS Ballarat's embarked MH-60R helicopter takes flight as the ship transits up the Western Australian coast.

“We’re following the 2020 Force Structure Plan that outlined the need to expand our naval operations in particular and the Romeo fits that role as a next generation submarine hunter and anti-surface warfare helicopter, and can also assist with search and rescue and transport like they have during recent bushfires and floods.”

Mr Dutton said the Apache was already used by the US and UK, and had “improved sensors, communications and networking systems, attack capabilities and survivability”.

An Australian Submarine conducts personnel transfers with a MRH-90 Taipan helicopter.

Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price said economic analysis showed the Romeo program would create 90 new jobs and support 510 workers, particularly in the communities around HMAS Albatross.

“Navy already operates Romeo helicopters and using a single type of helicopter for all maritime roles offers value-for-money and significant efficiencies through the use of common maintenance, training, and other sustainment services,” she said.

Liberal Gilmore candidate Andrew Constance said the investment in jobs would benefit the local community on the NSW south coast.

“Gilmore is incredibly proud of our local defence community and the great job they do to keep our nation safe,” he said.

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