Spectacular delivery of extra Chinooks, as ADF's MRH-90 Taipan helicopters remain dogged by safety issues

A Chinook helicopter recently purchased by Australia from the US is unloaded from the front of an American military transport plane. (Siobhan Heanue)

Australia has taken delivery of two new CH-47 Chinooks as part of a half-billion-dollar boost to its fleet of heavy-lift helicopters.

The delivery comes days ahead of major war games with the US taking place in Queensland, and as Australia's $3.8 billion fleet of 47 MRH-90 Taipan helicopters remains grounded because of safety and maintenance problems.

The first two of an extra four Chinooks arrived from the US to Townsville, carried aboard the largest military transport aircraft used by the US Air Force.

“The Chinook is Defence’s largest helicopter, with a long and proven track record of supporting ADF operations in Australia, our near region and further afield," Defence Minister Peter Dutton said.

Chinooks have been in service in Australia for 50 years, and again proved their dependability during the 2019-2020 bushfires, when they were used to evacuate people in cut-off towns and deliver firefighters, food and water to fire-ravaged areas.

The nose of a US military transport plane, a C-5 Galaxy, opens to reveal its cargo of Chinooks destined to boost Australia's military helicopter fleet. (Siobhan Heanue)

In contrast, the MRH-90 multi-role helicopters, which are worth about $50 million each, have been suspended from flying since maintenance issues were discovered in May.

The fleet was also suspended in 2019 when problems with a tail rotor on one airframe was discovered.

The MRH-90s, made by Airbus, only started arriving in Australia in 2007.

The multi-role helicopters are unlikely to be available for the biennial military exercise Talisman Sabre, which begins in just days.

One of four new Chinooks purchased by Australia at a cost of more than half a billion dollars is unloaded from the nose of an American cargo transport plane. (Siobhan Heanue)

Soldiers 'stoked' to receive extra Chinooks

The Army's 5 Aviation Regiment, based in Townsville, took delivery of two of the new Chinooks, which were spectacularly disgorged from an American military transport plane.

"Every member of 5 Aviation [Regiment], whether they're an aviator or non-aviator, is super excited to see these coming in," said Major Nicholas Ludwick, one of the Regiment's Squadron Commanders.

"They're all very stoked, and it's just a huge vote of confidence from the government [in 5 Aviation]," Major Ludwick said.

A squadron commander from 5th Aviation Regiment, Major Nicholas Ludwick, says the soldiers and pilots he works with are 'stoked' to see the new Chinooks arrive in Australia. (Siobhan Heanue)

He said gearing up for Exercise Talisman Sabre against the background of a global pandemic had been exceedingly challenging.

"It certainly adds a layer of complexity," Major Ludwick said.

"Planning in a lack of information is actually one of the strengths of the Defence Force.

"The plans leading up to Talisman Sabre remained deliberately flexible". 

The large military event will see 17,000 troops mainly from the US and Australia exercising together in various locations around Queensland.

The first of four new Chinooks bought by Australia from the US will take the ADF's fleet of heavy-lift helicopters from 10 to 14. (Siobhan Heanue)