Australia's MRH90 Taipans find new life as global spare parts
The story of the MRH90 Taipan helicopters decommissioned from the Australian army is coming to an end. Although Ukraine requested their transfer multiple times, ultimately, the helicopters, with capabilities worth remembering, met a different fate.
Australia is one of Ukraine’s allies and supports the country in its war with Russia, including military equipment transfers. However, the Australian government has refused to send MRH90 Taipan helicopters to the front, citing various reasons, despite Kyiv's public request for such a transfer.
In January 2024, Australian Defence Minister Pat Conroy stated that the request from Ukraine concerning the transfer of MRH90 Taipan helicopters came too late, as the disposal of these machines had already begun before the request. New facts are now coming to light.
Australian MRH90 Taipan for spare parts
According to Janes, the MRH90 Taipan helicopters decommissioned from the Australian army (45 units) are being dismantled for parts, but not all components will be scrapped. Some parts are to be returned to the market as spare parts for similar machines that are still in service in other parts of the world.
The NHI Corporation (manufacturer of the NH90, on which the MRH90 Taipan for Australia is based) reportedly received 300 of the 4,000 purchased components. The first deliveries took place in September 2024. The head of NHI Corporation stated that spare parts from the Australian helicopters are "used in a broad support program for NH90" and these parts helped solve the problem of shortages of these machines' components.
Capabilities of the decommissioned helicopters
Although Sweden and Norway recently discontinued use of the NH90, helicopters of this type are still in service in many NATO countries. They are multi-purpose helicopters powered by two engines (Rolls-Royce Turboméca RTM322-01/9 or General Electric T700/T6E1), reaching a maximum speed of 300 km/h. The interior of these helicopters can accommodate two pilots and a maximum of 20 passengers.
Pilots can operate NH90 at altitudes up to 6,000 metres. In combat variants, the machines are armed with a 7.62 or 12.7 mm machine gun, and sometimes even torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.
It is worth noting that Ukraine has also been pursuing other Australian aircraft - F/A-18 Hornet fighters. Currently, efforts are being made to acquire M1A1 Abrams tanks being phased out of service from this country. Australia is phasing out 59 such tanks, which will be replaced with newer M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams.
