Australia To Spend $2 Billion on US Black Hawk Helicopters

Australia has announced that it will get 40 Black Hawk choppers from the United States at an estimated cost of 2.8 billion Australian dollars ($1.97bn).

Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Wednesday that the US manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp’s UH-60M Black Hawks will replace Australia’s fleet of MRH-90 Taipan helicopters.

Marles added; “We’ve just not got the flying hours out of the Taipan that we would need.

“We’re confident that we can get that from the Black Hawks. It’s a platform we’re familiar with.”

Australian Major General Jeremy King also said the Black Hawks would meet the country’s strategic needs.

He said; “This acquisition will mean we can continue to defend Australia and respond in times of need in a safe and effective way for years to come.”

The acquisition of Black Hawks comes as Australia moves to boost defence spending amid China stepping up its presence in the Indo-Pacific region.