French Appeals Will Not Stop Australia Phasing Out Taipan Helicopters: Defence Minister

French Appeals Will Not Stop Australia Phasing Out Taipan Helicopters: Defence Minister
A loadmaster from an Australian Army MRH90 Taipan helicopter waves to the crowd as it performs during the T150 Defence Force Air Show in Townsville, Australia, on Oct. 15, 2016. Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
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Defence Minister Richard Marles has said French urgings to keep the Australian defence forces fleet of Taipan helicopters will not be taken into consideration, and instead, the government will rely on what was the right thing to do for the nation’s interests.

Australia is currently reviewing the program and capability of its Taipan helicopters after well documented ongoing issues with the fleet’s operating costs, while France is urging for the program to stay.