Australia to Spend $1.3 Billion on 12 US Seahawk Helicopters

An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter of the Helicopter Maritime Squadron (HSM 37) lands on the flight deck of the guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) on Feb. 23, 2016. U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marcus L. Stanley

The Royal Australian Navy is set to phase out its troubled fleet of European-made MRH-90 Taipan helicopters in favour of U.S.-made Sikorsky Seahawks.

On Oct. 8, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) approved the sale of 12 Sikorsky MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters to replace the navy’s six Airbus-made MRM-90s for around $1.3 billion (US$985 million).