Leonardo and the Australian Ministry of Defence have agreed to establish a helicopter transmission repair and overhaul facility in Melbourne capable of servicing MRH Taipan, foreign NH90 and certain civil helicopter main gear boxes.

The unit will be set up as part of an existing Leonardo facility and is scheduled to commence operation in mid-2020. The centre will employ at least 12 technical staff for 30 years or more.

The Federal Government is investing around $16m in the facility — an investment that will be repaid through reduced MRH Taipan sustainment costs over the remaining life of the helicopter fleet. A similar amount is also being provided by Leonardo.

Acquired in 2006, the fleet of 47 MRH Taipan helicopters, a dedicated variant of the NH90 for the Australian armed forces for both land and maritime operations, will next year commence replacing Black Hawk in the 6th Aviation Regiment in Sydney, where they will gradually take over the role of aviation support to counter terrorism.

Establishing a local repair and overhaul facility will contribute to greater helicopter availability for this national security mission.