Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is currently an all rotary winged organisation. Currently S-70B-2 Seahawks helicopters are the combat helicopters of the Air Arm. The Seahawks are being upgraded with FLIR and enhanced ECM, to improve both their surveillance and self-defence capabilities. In the 2009 Defence White Paper the Australian Government stated that it will urgently acquire at least 24 new naval combat helicopters.
The Navy's Sea Kings, which have been in service for twenty years, will be replaced by six marinised MRH 90 helicopters by 2010. These aircraft are to be purchased as part a joint Army-Navy helicopter purchase.
The 2009 Defence White Paper, Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030, stated that the RAN needed to replace its 16 Seahawk helicopters with at least 24 new helicopters by 2014. In June 2011 the Australian government announced the purchase of 24 MH-60R "Romeo" Seahawk helicopters as a replacement for the S-70-B2.
Read more about this topic: Procurement Programme Of The Royal Australian Navy
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