Queensland crash chopper: MRH90 Taipan due to be ‘binned’

The controversial Aussie helicopter said to be involved in a crash during military exercises has had a series of operational issues and was earmarked to be ‘retired’.

The trouble-plagued MRH90 Taipan helicopter was earmarked to be “binned” due to significant reliability and operational issues which saw the fleet grounded as late as March this year.

The grounding came after one of the choppers suffering engine failure while on a night exercise off Jervis Bay, prompting the rescue of 10 elite soldiers from the water with two men suffering minor injuries.

That investigation was ongoing when the fleet was inexplicably returned to service in April, with “risk mitigations” put in place that Defence refused to disclose on the grounds of “operational security”.

Australian Army MRH 90 Taipans from the 5th Aviation Regiment fly in formation deploying soldiers from the 3rd Brigade to Jungle Training Wing, Tully, Queensland during Exercise Kalimantan last year.

Four people are feared dead after an MRH90 plunged into the ocean off the Queensland coast on Friday night during Exercise Talisman Sabre.

The whole fleet of 47 was to be permanently abandoned by December 2024, at least 13 years earlier than expected, such are its operational issues.

The $3.8 billion multi-role Taipan fleets operated by Army and navy had been beset with problems virtually since they were introduced into service in 2007 by the John Howard government who trumpeted its purchase as a 2004 election issue, against advice from Defence over their purchase.

Documents obtained under Freedom of Information showed the Airbus-led European designed chopper was not fit for service for multiple operational shortcomings and economically not viable.

“It does not meet all operational and capability requirements and remains unaffordable,” an obtained internal document from February reads.

“Defence forecasts continued risks and issues associated with MRH90 support that will severely constrain Army’s response options on operations. Protracted remediation activities and increased oversight associated with listing the MRH90 as a Project of Concern has been unable to resolve many issues.”

It was later concluded the Taipan was unreliable and should be withdrawn early with the US formally approached in 2021 to buy the new model UH-60M Black Hawk.

“This project was declared a Project of Concern in November 2011 due to poor engine reliability, technical issues and low availability rates impacting operational capability,” Defence concluded.

Such was it a dud, Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment at Townsville was forced to lease commercial aircraft at a cost of $37 million to mitigate the Taipan’s underperformance.

“Army reduced MRH90 capability so the system can operate at manageable levels of risk,” Army concluded.

“The low level of MRH90 availability does not reflect the operational need. Defence requires fully equipped and mission capable aircraft in order to meet specific capability and preparedness requirements.”

ADF chief Angus Campbell had branded the chopper “extraordinary” but conceded it had issues.

The door gun could not be fired if laying down suppression fire when delivering troops to the ground because of the width of the door, spare parts were hard to obtain, the cargo hook had ongoing problems and software patches to upgrade the chopper were only introduced on some of the fleet.

After months of speculation, in January it was officially announced the chopper would finally be abandoned in favour of US Black Hawks.

* There is no suggestion that the helicopters in these images in this article are involved in the crash off the coast of Hamilton Island.

Originally published as Queensland crash chopper: MRH90 Taipan due to be ‘binned’