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Australia’s fleet of five H135 “Juno” training helicopters are being reassembled by Boeing Defence Australia aircraft mechanics at HMAS Albatross.
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The Australian Army helicopters are in the final stages of reassembly at HMAS Albatross in south coast NSW before being relocated to the Army Aviation Training Centre in Oakey, Queensland.
The new helicopters are expected to support essential training for Army aircrew and address a critical requirement to meet the training and proficiency needs of the Army’s aircrew while the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter is introduced.
The Australian government previously procured five H135 “Juno” training helicopters from the United Kingdom, with an expected operations commencement timeline to take place mid-year in Oakey, Queensland.
“We are grateful to both the United Kingdom and the United States for their support to enhance Army’s battlefield aviation capability,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles said in a public statement regarding the helicopters earlier this year.
“We need a highly capable Army. When the tough but necessary decision was made last year to expedite the withdrawal of the MRH-90s from service, it meant that we needed to look at all options when it came to filling the capability gap and providing the necessary training our servicemen and women need.
“We have been working with the United States and United Kingdom on ways in which we can bridge this gap, and their support and willingness with the acceleration of the Black Hawks and leasing of training helicopters will have a significant impact.”
The planned lease length is for five years. The lease arrangement will be funded from within Defence’s existing budget.
Australia will acquire 40 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters for the Australian Army, under a 2023 foreign military sales case with the United States.
The latest pair of new UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters arrived at RAAF Base Richmond in Sydney aboard a United States Air Force C17 Globemaster III aircraft in July this year.
A total of 12 new Lockheed Martin-built helicopters are scheduled to be delivered by the end of the year. All 40 aircraft are scheduled for delivery by 2029.
