Agreement sees Australia's Multi-role Helicopter program back on track

Australia’s MRH90 helicopter program has received a significant boost with an agreement between the Commonwealth and the manufacturer, Australian Aerospace, on a collaborative approach to continue delivery of the world’s most advanced multi-role helicopter.

Yesterday, Brisbane-based Australian Aerospace and the Defence Materiel Organisation signed a deed for the MRH90 Program which initiates a remediation plan to bring the program back on line following a number of challenges over recent months.

Commenting on the agreement, Dr Jens Goennemann, Chief Executive Officer AustralianAerospace, said: “Unfortunately, the MRH90 Program has been hampered with problems not uncommon with complex defence procurements, but the signing of this deed is a significant step forward in achieving our goal of remediating these issues and continuing helicopter deliveries.

”A total of 46 MRH90s have been ordered by Defence to replace existing Black Hawk and Sea King helicopters. Of these, 13 helicopters have already been delivered to Navy andArmy.

"The deed provides a key pathway for the aircraft to become ready for use in a battlefieldenvironment.

“The signing of the deed provides the Commonwealth with more surety as it plans for future rotary-wing operations and is also a sign of good faith that the Commonwealth, Australian Aerospace and our industry partners are committed to delivering this very important capability to the Australian Defence Force”.