Australian Navy plans $986M purchase of 12 Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopters

The U.S. Department of State has approved a potential Foreign Military Sales deal for the Royal Australian Navy of 12 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters made by Stratford’s Sikorsky Aircraft for an estimated $986 million.

A pair of US Navy Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawks. Credit: Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin.

The MH-60Rs would replace the Royal Australian Navy”™s six Airbus-made MRH-90 Taipan helicopters. According to Australia”™s ABC News, the nation”™s military first acquired the MRH-90s in 2006, but the aircraft have been plagued with maintenance problems.

Earlier this year, Australia”™s military grounded all 47 of its Taipan helicopters due to safety issues.

Australia’s navy already operates 24 MH-60R Seahawks, which are used for performing anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare missions. The Seahawks are also deployed for vertical replenishment, search and rescue and communications relay operations.