2022: Taiwan cancels Sikorsky MH-60 Romeo's, Australia orders extra.... Plus AH-64E Apaches....

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https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-paci ... 022-05-05/

May 5, 2022
7:53 PM GMT+2
Last Updated 6 days ago

https://www.trtworld.com/asia/taiwan-ca ... 87#new_tab

Taiwan has signalled that it has abandoned a plan to buy advanced new anti-submarine warfare helicopters from the United States, saying they are too expensive.

Asked in parliament on Thursday about recent changes to Taiwan's purchases of new US weapons, Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng mentioned the helicopter case first.

"The price is too high, beyond the scope of our country's ability," he said.

Taiwan had earlier said it was planning to buy 12 MH-60R anti-submarine helicopters, made by Lockheed Martin Corp unit Sikorsky, but domestic media said the United States had rejected the sale as not being in line with the island's needs.

Two other arms purchases have also been delayed - M109A6 Medium Self-Propelled Howitzer artillery systems, and mobile Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.

https://www.australiandefence.com.au/ne ... nd-apaches

Australia to acquire more Romeos and Apaches
9 May 2022

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has detailed plans for an additional 12 new MH-60R Romeo maritime helicopters
and 29 new AH-64E Apache Armed Reconnaissance helicopters to join Australia’s Navy and Army.

In a contract valued at more than $2.5 billion,
the Government will expand the Navy's maritime helicopter fleet with an additional 12 MH-60R Romeos
to be acquired and based at HMAS Albatross,
along with a 13th to replace one lost in 2021.

The Government has also set aside up to $360 million to expand facilities at HMAS Albatross to house the expanded fleet,
which will replace the Navy’s existing Taipan NH90 fleet.

M Morrison also confirmed that the Government has finalised a more than $5.5 billion investment
to acquire and operate 29 new AH-64E Apaches helicopters for the Army,
replacing Army’s existing Tiger helicopters,
with an additional investment of up to $500 million to upgrade facilities to support the new Apaches.

“Our world and our region are changing but we’re investing a record $270 billion in the defence and security of Australia
over the decade to 2030,” the PM Morrison said in a press release.

“We’re expanding the size and capability of our helicopters to meet the threats Australia faces,” Minister Dutton said.

“We’re following the 2020 Force Structure Plan that outlined the need to expand our naval operations in particular"

The Romeos and Apaches are expected to be delivered from 2025.