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Australia now ‘burying’ retired MRH-90 fleet despite Ukrainian interest

Over recent months, the Australian Army has been scrapping and subsequently burying its problematic fleet of MRH-90 Taipan (NH90 TTH) tactical transport helicopters – which were removed from operational service more than a year earlier than planned – despite recent second-hand interest from Ukraine

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Spanish Navy’s first NH90 MSPT now in testing at Albacete

The Spanish Navy’s first NH90 Maritime Spanish Tactical Transport Helicopter (MSPT) arrived at Airbus Helicopters’ facility in Albacete, Spain, on January 17, following a ferry flight from the firm’s plant at Donauwörth in Germany, where the aircraft completed its maiden flight on December 15, 2023

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Ecuador to hand over Russian-made Mi-171 Hip fleet to the US

Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa announced that his government will transfer its Russian-made military equipment – including anti-aircraft systems and transport helicopters – to the US, which will then be exchanged for new materiel

News Freemium

Argentina to donate two Mi-171E helicopters to Ukraine?

Following the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Argentina to mark the inauguration of newly elected Argentine President Javier Milei, it has been revealed that the Argentine Air Force is negotiating the donation of two currently out-of-service Mi-171E Hip-H transport helicopters to the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Australia permanently grounds MRH-90 fleet after fatal crash

Australia has retired its 45-strong fleet of MRH-90 Taipan tactical transport helicopters early, following a fatal accident that occurred near Hamilton Island, Queensland, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 23 on July 28

US Navy orders more CH-53Ks for USMC and Israel

The US Navy has awarded Sikorsky a $2.7bn contract to build and deliver 35 additional CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift transport helicopters – comprising 12 Lot 7 and 15 Lot 8 aircraft for the USMC, along with a further eight examples for Israel (adding to the four announced in 2022)

Germany reveals delivery, fielding details for future Chinook fleet

Berlin has announced more details relating to its acquisition of 60 CH-47F Block II Chinook heavy-lift tactical transport helicopters as the nation pushes forward with plans to replace the German Air Force’s ageing CH-53G Sea Stallion fleet

RAF Chinooks take part in Vortex Warrior at El Centro

Chinook HC5/HC6s and air/ground crews from the RAF’s No 27 Squadron at RAF Odiham, Hampshire, recently deployed to Naval Air Facility El Centro in California in August to conduct specialist desert flying training in Exercise Vortex Warrior

Kyrgyzstan receives additional Mi-17V-5 Hip transport helicopters

The Kyrgyz Air Force has recently received a new Mi-17V-5 Hip-H tactical transport helicopter from Russia’s state-owned defence export/import company, Rosoboronexport

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How was a Russian Mi-8 Hip pilot able to defect to Ukraine?

The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has published new details regarding the daring operation that was carried out by the Russian Aerospace Forces Mi-8AMTSh Hip tactical transport helicopter pilot, who defected to Ukraine last month