Ukraine has requested the Australian government to supply decommissioned Taipan helicopters.
What is known about the prospects of receiving Taipan helicopters from Australia
According to the journalists of Asia Pacific Defense Reporter, technicians are currently secretly dismantling all 45 army Taipan multi-purpose helicopters and burying the components on the territory of defense facilities.
Each helicopter is worth about $20 million on the aftermarket, so the decision was made to destroy them quietly in the hope that no one would notice. Ironically, the 10-ton twin-engine Taipans are disassembled, not cut, because their carbon fiber construction is very strong, the authors of the material explain.
However, Defense Secretary Richard Marles said the helicopters would be disposed of in a way that maximized their value.
The publication clarifies that Australia's federal government recently received a request to transfer helicopter data to Ukraine.
What is known about MRH-90 Taipan helicopters
The Australian Army replaced the MRH-90 multi-purpose attack helicopters with the more functional and easier-to-manage and maintain ADF Black Hawk and Sea King.
Despite their age, the helicopters are in excellent condition.
It is a modern, fully digital machine with a four-axis flight control system, advanced avionics and world-leading night vision equipment. More than 500 Taipan helicopters have been sold to 14 countries worldwide.
