The Government of Australia received authorization from the US Department of State to purchase 40 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. Valued at US$ 1,95 billion, the possible sale must still be approved by congressmen. 

The authorization comes after Australia decided to retire its fleet of MRH-90 Taipai helicopters (NH-90), in December 2021. The Australian Ministry of Defense reported that the helicopters have low availability, complicated maintenance, development delays and difficulty to purchase replacement parts. 

Peter Dutton, former defense minister, said that “The performance of the MRH90 Taipan has been an ongoing and well-documented concern for Defense and there has been significant effort at great expense to try to remedy these issues.”

These same problems also made Norway give up operating their own NH-90s in June of this year. Oslo still wants a refund from NHIndustries, a consortium between Fokker, Airbus and Leonardo, which produces the aircraft. 

Ironically, Australia bought the MRH-90 precisely to replace its older Black Hawks. At the time, the Ministry of Defense still protested the decision, claiming that the UH-60M/S-70M (which is now being acquired) was a better option. Currently, the Australian Navy operates the MH-60R Seahawk.  

According to Security and Defense Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the agreement includes eight spare T700-GE 701D engines, secure communication, self-protection and navigation instruments, armor, palletized seats for crew chiefs, a rescue winch, logistical support and personnel training. 

"The proposed sale will replace Australia's current fleet of multi-role helicopters with a more reliable and proven system that will allow Australia to maintain the appropriate level of readiness to conduct joint operations," says the DSCA, confirming that the Black Hawk is expected to replace the MRH-90/NH-90 Taipan.

“The UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter will enhance the Australian Army's ability to deploy combat power to share Australia's strategic environment, deter actions against its interests and, when necessary, respond with credible force. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”