Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations Chair Stefan Romaniw has called out the Albanese government’s retired Taipan helicopter decision, which “doesn’t stack up” because Ukraine “needs support now”.
Ukraine is pleading with the Australian government to donate its fleet of retired Taipan helicopters instead of dismantling and burying them.
It was revealed on Thursday morning that Defence Minister Richard Marles was yet to respond to a request from the Ukrainians which came more than a month ago.
Acting Defence Minister Pat Conroy formally rejected the request on Thursday afternoon.
“On the Taipans, again, we want to see the best result – we want to see the best result for Australia; we want to see the best result for Ukraine,” Mr Romaniw told Sky News Australia.
“We think there should be a bit of an inquiry into this and how all this came about because something really doesn’t stack up on this.
“Our call out for the government now is this – it’s the same as it has been for the last two years … Ukraine needs support now; it needs military support now.”
source
We couldnt raise 5 k troops fully equiped to send any place in the world OUR FORCES so UNDER FUNDED for so long
AlboSLEAZY is full of BS, he couldn't run a pub chook raffle let alone make a strategic decision.How about we have a refereDUMB on helicopters,I'm sure he'd get a YES to send them to Ukraine!
Mmnn? Coal?? F-18s?? Helicopters??
This is the only thing that I have agreed with Albo about, its not up to us to continue to support to Ukraine.
The irony of Murdoch’s propaganda network covering issues Ukraine has defending itself from Vladimir Putin is palpable.
Sky Australia has no shame and no conscience, the reporters(?) are as amoral as the owner.
I wouldnt trust that guy (PM) as far as I could throw him.
Refuses to give helicopters but hands outs $21 million to a terrorist organisation. Can't wait to vote this corrupt government out.
Why is Australia supporting the US NATO Neo-Nazi Ukraine 2014-2024 war in Eastern Ukraine in the first place? Ukraine is the most corrupt country in the West because of the US NATO influence. Is Biden the boss of Australia. It looks like it.
He is such a loser. He is embarrassing, also you can’t really help Hamas with loads of money and then turn around and help Ukraine which would be hypocritical and we all know how upstanding and true blue Albanese is. 😵💫😵💫😵💫
The only reason why we still hold around 6th in the world as a non NATO member is because of the Morrison government. The Albowoke government has to be the worst government I have ever witnessed for Australia, supported by his offsider foreign affairs minister Penny Wrong, who is just as gutless and fake as the rest of them.
https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp2122/Quick_Guides/TaipanHelicopter
"Designed and built by NATO Helicopter Industries (NH Industries)—a consortium of European companies involving Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo Helicopters, and Fokker—the MRH-90 is based on the NH90 Troop Transport Helicopter variant. The NH90 program suffered from various problems , many of which are similar to those experienced in Australia. "
"With the Taipans beleaguered by problems for more than a decade the Government announced on 10 December 2021 that it was scoping the acquisition of 40 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to replace the Australian Army’s 40 MRH-90 Taipan helicopters. "
"the helicopter’s estimated operating costs were $30,000 to $40,000 per hour, which is ‘higher than those combat aircraft with sophisticated weapons and sensor systems’ (p. 72). More recently the cost has blown out to $50,000 per hour. Overall, says ASPI, the MRH-90 helicopter ‘has provided far too few flying hours for far too much money for far too long’ (p. 72). "
"One of the main problems with the Army’s MRH-90 Taipan helicopter is the door is not wide enough to allow its self-defence gun to fire while personnel exit the aircraft. The door problem has been an issue since the aircraft was purchased in 2005. "
"The report goes on to say that the Australian Army considered the ‘cabin and role equipment are not fit for purpose’ as the seat size and harness cannot accommodate personnel wearing combat gear (p. 72)."
"The ongoing delays resulted in the need to extend the service life of the Australian Army’s Black Hawk helicopters to 2022 (all of which had originally been scheduled for retirement by the end of 2013)."
Our Prime Minister has no leadership abilities. He should intervene and send the helicopters to Ukraine if Ukraine wants them. All the objections about “Safety issues”, maintenance, spare parts etc is Ukraine’s problem if they take the helicopters. The reality is that it will cost Australia a lot of money to dispose of these helicopters, even if we just dig a big hole and bury them in the ground, so we may as well ship them to Ukraine where they will be put to good use and save the lives of many wounded Ukrainian servicemen. It IS the responsibility of the Prime Minister to make big decisions in unusual circumstances , and It is such weak leadership to leave the problem with the Department of Defence, and then say “It isn’t my decision”. Albanese, YOU are the Prime Minister, YOU need to be over the issues and show leadership and direction on issues that matter. Our Government has lost it’s moral compass and made the worst decisions over so many issues lately😢
In the beginning, I was all for Australia to help Ukraine but now I think they are using the world for their personal gain. We gave enough and I really think with all the help the world has given to Ukraine and using foreign people to fight for them. They should have won by now. Enough is Enough. Their President is using the world and living it up by travelling the world and spending money when he should be helping his country but playing the same game as the Russians and blowing their country out of the water.
Wat a long prick and waste off money even if it helps Ukraine a little
Albo is full of dribble.
Pat Conroy es xercised extortion on girls at Melbourne Airport. Arrest him outdide the criminal colony Australis.
Needs to be voted out scomo was better
Thought PM had first & final say on political matters
problem is nothing adds up under this labor grub
Ukrainians rate as one of top countries skilled in aviation maintenance, with ample support from surrounding border countries. Ukraine has received military equipment from over 45 countries worldwide and has successfully integrated all equipment gratefully received. Ukrainian lives depend on it.
Yep it is only advice the politician's take from the military, the final decision is made in this case by the defence minister, Albo jus up to his old tricks, let's blame someone else we can't take flack for decisions the public don't like
The trump Republicans have squeezed Albo
How long did it Labor to acknowledge the Ukrainian president.
America gave Russia 600,000 trucks, aircraft, tanks and other pieces of military equipment to fight hitler, but Ozzie government wont give 40 helicopters to fight Putler
Great leader.
Stfu sky news no more to Ukraine they cannot win this war this piece of shit should be ashamed wanting to send more of his country men and now women to die stop supporting this nazi regime
The issue of labors shit show in the defense forces – is just another – labor abysmal albo failure. The issue here was – we got rid of the Blackhawks, for the Taipan and MRH90 helicopters – to replace the "aging" blackhawks.
And we right back and bought more blackhawk – helicopters – mainly because labor would have the "cheap."
The new Sikorsky Raider X – has dual coaxial rotors – with a tail pusher propeller – it is the next generation of the blackhawk design. The Sikorsky X Raider – flies – higher – faster – further. And can be an armed – scout reconnaissance helicopter. filling multiple roles. From troop carrier – to armed attack helicopter.
Our navy needs – at least 50 new ships. The nuclear submarine deal – is labor talk fest – nothing is under construction.
The Navy needs – drone torpedo pods – stealth visby ships – nuclear submarines – and a rethink of the frigate design.
The army needs a lot more missile systems – mobile artillery – infantry fighting vehicles and new tanks. The abrams is an old design – like the blackhawk. The new German kf-51 panther – should be trialed. the abrams tank engine – runs very hot. It is prone to break downs. The heat signature can be seen from space of the abrams tank engine – by satellites.
The air force – needs to test an air dominance fighter – and a long range stealth bomber.
The issue now China has has a similar air craft to the old SR-71 blackbird spy plane. Is also an issue – Australia – has to counter. Meanwhile labors shit show – of race – gender – climate – is like this side line circus – that is just a clowns show – every day in the media.
Labor are locked into a mindset – they are the hip crowd in town – still about 1970's student version of politics. Which is where Abysmal albo – is locked into. A place where – he has no concept of leadership – but the cult of his personality – to say NO.
Labor would be pooing their pants. If Trump does get elected in 2024. The bludge off the U.S. labor policy for defense is over.
Trump will simply tell Australia – and Europe – we will not underwrite your defense. You have to start spending on your military budgets.
And that means – nuclear weapons – is also something Australia is going to have to acquire very soon. If the U.S. decides – the worlds security – is not just the U.S. on it's own propping everyone up. It becomes a collective policy.
And that is why Australia – needs to become a NATO member – and a member of the E.U.
There are a lot of things Abysmal albo and his labor shit show – are hiding from voters. That Trump will give Kevin Rudd – a dressing down – and be told – to tell his government – start spending your money on Australia.
Not throwing it at Palestine.
Clearly if Trump wins in 2024. Labor know – they might even lose the nuclear submarine deal. So – all in all – labors shit show – just rolls down hill – gathering pace.
South pacific nations should be given or bought to counter china influx of influence of communism ideology
This war has nothing to do with Australia, we should call for peace and stop supporting stupid wars egged on by nato .
Less support for actual physical weapons and more support for Ukraine's negotiations to stop the war would make sense
Saying no is a good thing Mr Zelenky is continuing to suck vast amounts of money from governments in a war he can't win Australia can't afford a war we don't have any operational subs and a army of around 250.000 with a depleted air force and navy we need to look after our own people first but this government is delusional
Albo, this doesn't pass the pub test mate and you know it. Just have the courage to admit the decision was the wrong one and direct the military to send the 45 choppers to Ukraine regardless of their airworthiness. Stop with the BS excuses fed to the electorate by junior ministers with training wheels. Blame the bureaucrats at defence for the stuff up. I hope your advisers are reading the comments from voters in these posts because if you continue to have a tin ear when it comes to what the silent majority want, you'll have the honour of being the second one term federal government in Australian history.
Look after our own people before you keep sending our money to every other place on the planet. How much more money does this actor want from the world.
Xi is already sitting in the top chair in Canberra? ( GIVE ALBO, THE ELBOW. )
🌎⚔️🛡️ Its been a long term plan .. there are many players . The question now is 🤔 What are you going to do about .⁉️ We here have no warships . Our family a d friends just went joy riding around the coastlines having a bloody good time. .if a war broke out theyd be too drunk go know .aledgedly by those that were on them . Meanwhile the tax payer pays for it all . … Australia and NZ need to restore Military relationships … .No joke now …. 🛡️⚔️ NZ
Why is the govt support child trafficking business
Ukraine has been given billions to buy weapons.
Yet they buy luxury yachts
Why should we send them anything, they are on the other side of the world and we have our own problems, they have been offered a peace treaty, let them act like adults and take it.