March 2023: contract signed, Australia gets 29 Apache AH-64E Guardians from 2026. Eurocopter Airbus EC665 Tigre is out..

[Stratofreighter]

https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopter ... 67.article

Australia has finalised an agreement to purchase 29 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.

The Commonwealth government’s defence industry minister
signed the deal with the US airframer on 1 March 2023
at the Avalon Airshow outside of Melbourne.

“This is an A$4.2 billion [$2.8 billion] contract
that will advance the capabilities of the Australian Defence Force and in particular, the Australian Army,”
says Pat Conroy, whose brief includes defence acquisitions.

The procurement makes Australia the 18th Apache customer worldwide, according to Boeing.

General Jeremy King, head of joint aviation systems for the Australian Defence Force (ADF),
says the service expects to begin receiving the Apaches in 2026.

“Defence has worked diligently with the US Army, Boeing and local industry
to ensure we are providing the best capability for the [ADF],” King says.

The Australian Army currently operates 22 of the troubled Airbus Helicopters Tiger attack rotorcraft.

The 1 March 2023 deal will also see an expanded role for Australian suppliers in the AH-64E supply chain.
Five domestic companies
will contribute cabling, wire harnesses and cockpit avionic components to Australia’s Apache fleet.

https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopter ... 67.article

[patrick dirksen]

So both the Tiger and the NH.90 are going, that's a firm goodbye to Airbus in Australia :-S
With the NH.90 problems in Norway, Sweden and Belgium, the helicopter section of Airbus is taking a hit. Good they still have the EC.135 and 145!

[Canberra TT.18]

So both the Tiger and the NH.90 are going, that's a firm goodbye to Airbus in Australia :-S
With the NH.90 problems in Norway, Sweden and Belgium, the helicopter section of Airbus is taking a hit. Good they still have the EC.135 and 145!

Hi Patrick
The NH90 is not (solely) an Airbus product,
But a co-product with Leonardo and Fokker which might result in it being in many ways not a succes story.
And I think building it in to many versions and sub versions means a lot additional (maintenance) costs.

Airbus is selling a lot of there 'own' products H135 H145 H215/H225 H160 etc.
As does Leonardo with AW139 AW169 AW149 etc..

I sincerely hope they all learned from NH90 program for the new NATO next-generation helicopter...

Pieter

[Starman]

I believe the (Royal) Australian Air Force still tank their Boeing and Lockheed Martin fighter jets, plus Boeing surveillance fleet from Airbus airtankers, so it's still g'day and not g'nite Airbus yet down under

[patrick dirksen]

Hi Patrick
The NH90 is not (solely) an Airbus product,
But a co-product with Leonardo and Fokker which might result in it being in many ways not a succes story.
And I think building it in to many versions and sub versions means a lot additional (maintenance) costs.

Airbus is selling a lot of there 'own' products H135 H145 H215/H225 H160 etc.
As does Leonardo with AW139 AW169 AW149 etc..

I sincerely hope they all learned from NH90 program for the new NATO next-generation helicopter...

Pieter

You're right of course, this kind of cooperation often works out less than perfect.

I believe the (Royal) Australian Air Force still tank their Boeing and Lockheed Martin fighter jets, plus Boeing surveillance fleet from Airbus airtankers, so it's still g'day and not g'nite Airbus yet down under

And you're right as well, but I was referring to Airbus Helicopter in this case. And while I type this, I realise the navy still flies the EC.135.
However, this is a major blow to both NH.90 and Tiger production of course.