Australia to dispose of Taipan helicopters requested by Ukraine: the Ministry of Defense explains the decision

The Australian government has rejected Ukraine's request to transfer 45 Taipan MRH-90 helicopters that the country has decommissioned. Now this equipment is being utilized.

This was reported by ABC on Thursday, January 18. According to journalists, the decision to dispose of the helicopters in Australia was made in September 2023. The reason is that a helicopter crashed in Queensland during a training exercise and killed four soldiers.

Australian Defense Minister Pat Conroy said that Ukraine had requested the transfer of the Taipan allegedly too late, in December 2023. According to him, at that time, the helicopters had not received maintenance for three months.

However, according to journalists, before deciding to disassemble the helicopters for spare parts, the Australian Ministry of Defense tried to sell them, but there was "zero interest in buying them." So, the helicopters were perfectly serviceable.

Conroy said that the country does not currently have "helicopters of this type that are in 'airworthy condition'. He added that the country would look for other ways to help Ukraine.

For his part, retired Army Major General Mick Ryan called the decision a "disgrace."

"It is a disgrace to rush to bury usable helicopters rather than hand them over to a nation fighting for its life," the military said.

As of 2022, the Australian Army had 46 Taipan helicopters in service. The helicopter's payload can reach 700 kg. The Taipan is armed with air-to-air, air-to-surface, and unguided missiles.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Ukraine has received new military equipment from Australia, including anti-drone systems. The package also includes a 3D metal printing printer that can be used to create spare parts and portable X-ray machines that can be used by doctors on the front line.

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