Push being made to get Army’s new Apache helicopters based in Townsville
A Federal politician is pushing to have a new fleet of Army helicopters based in Townsville, following the decision to mothball the trouble prone ARH Tiger
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A FEDERAL politician is pushing to have a new fleet of Army helicopters based in Townsville, following the decision to mothball the trouble prone ARH Tiger.
The decision was made yesterday to replace the Tiger helicopters, with 29 of the Boeing-made Apache Guardian Helicopters at cost that could hit $5.1b by 2025.
The fleet of Tiger helicopters is currently based in Darwin at the 1st Aviation Regiment, with a Defence spokesman saying the plan was to introduce the Apache to the regiment in 2025.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds announced the deal yesterday and said the Tiger would continue to fly until 2028, but would be phased out by the introduction of the US-made Apache.
Herbert MP Phillip Thompson told the Townsville Bulletin he’s been in discussion with Ms Reynolds and was lobbying to see the Apache unit, along with Army’s Aviation Headquarters, moved to Townsville.
“The Minister’s response was positive and (she) agrees Townsville is a strategic military base and we will continue discussions,” Mr Thompson said.
“These are serious conversations we’re having, and discussions with Defence but at the end of the day it’s a political decision. Defence gives advice but the Prime Minister will make the final decision.
“Minister Reynolds knows, and has said very clearly to me, that Townsville is a strategic location for Defence, which is why we have the largest military base in the country, so bolstering what we have with more attack helicopters here makes sense. It does two things — it would help the combined arms training at our range by a very short flight, and training with infantry troops and artillery, you don’t have to fight for the sky to fly in Townsville because this is one of the very few airports in the country that is controlled by RAAF.”
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Under this arrangement, aircraft training would continue to take place in Oakey, and the 6th Aviation Regiment, which operates Blackhawk helicopters alongside special forces operations from Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney, would remain.
“The makeup of the joint force may include combat units based in Townsville. No decision has been taken to relocate 16th Aviation Brigade Headquarters,” a Defence spokesman said.
A former Army aviation officer, whose job was to integrate ARH and new aviation capability and acquisitions, told the Bulletin it should never have been purchased by the ADF to begin with. “The government made a decision that was politically motivated, not capability motivated, and Defence was basically told to get in line,” the officer said.
“The agenda was similar to the MRH Taipan because there was a desire to ingratiate ourselves with the French and European elements, which is also translated to things like submarines.
“We got sold a bill of lies on all of these, we were told there would be a lot of compatibility of parts that will assist with our sustainment and logistics supply lines which was totally false. It was a total fabrication, not even the tires are interchangeable.
“The engines are not interchangeable.
“Apache is the best aircraft for our needs because it is not just about the Apache, or the platform or the capability. It is about how that capability is integrated into the wider force to generate the effects of the Defence Force in the interest of national security and government tasking.”
A Defence spokesman said the Tiger would continue to fly until 2028 and was expected to rack up another 25,000 flying hours in that time.
Originally published as Push being made to get Army’s new Apache helicopters based in Townsville
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