ARH - STICK OR TWIST
Asian Military Review|June/July 2020
The Australian Defence Force is closing in on a decision on whether it will keep faith with its Airbus Tigers, or risk going for a new type of attack helicopter.
Andrew Drwiega
ARH - STICK OR TWIST

The Australian Defence White Paper in 2016 provided a recommendation that the Australian Army’s Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) Tiger fleet have limited sustainment while the Australian Defence Force (ADF) launched a Request for Information (RFI) that would seek a potential replacement. This was called LAND 4503.

This RFI is due to close on 22 July 2020 with three contenders having been identified. The task before the Helicopter Systems Division (HSD) of Defence’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) is to recommend one of three options:

1. Keep the Tiger fleet with upgrades suggested by Airbus.

2. Acquire a new attack helicopter fleet from Bell, the AH-1Z Viper

3. Acquire a new attack helicopter fleet from Boeing, the Apache AH-64E.

In late 2004, the Australian Army received the first of 22 Tigers. However, figures released by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) revealed that Tiger was late in meeting its original final operating capability (FOC) deadline by nearly seven years, from 2009 to April 2016.

The current RFI is seeking 29 attack helicopters and, following the painful experience of bringing Tiger into full service, has set the initial operational capability (IOC) for the first squadron of 12 aircraft in 2026, followed by a full operational capability (FOC) in 2028.

While there is no room to provide a full discussion of the capabilities of the three options, Airbus was keen to mount a defence of why its Tiger should be retained.

Keeping the Tiger

Denne historien er fra June/July 2020-utgaven av Asian Military Review.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra June/July 2020-utgaven av Asian Military Review.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA ASIAN MILITARY REVIEWSe alt
SMART MUNITIONS INCREASE MARKET SHARE
Asian Military Review

SMART MUNITIONS INCREASE MARKET SHARE

Top attack munitions are now widely developed for different artillery calibers with varied ranges.

time-read
10 mins  |
June/July 2021
NEXT GEN NVGS - A CLEAR IMPROVEMENT
Asian Military Review

NEXT GEN NVGS - A CLEAR IMPROVEMENT

Fused and enhanced night-vision technology will make the difference to soldiers fighting at night.

time-read
8 mins  |
June/July 2021
MILITARY ROTORCRAFT DEVELOPMENT - NO MORE ‘STOVEPIPES'
Asian Military Review

MILITARY ROTORCRAFT DEVELOPMENT - NO MORE ‘STOVEPIPES'

New rotorcraft are going to come with new abilities founded on open systems that provide easier upgrade paths and cheaper through life costs.

time-read
8 mins  |
June/July 2021
INDO PACIFIC UAV DIRECTORY 2021
Asian Military Review

INDO PACIFIC UAV DIRECTORY 2021

The development of unmanned aerial vehicles is growing apace, especially in China. New longer range ISR platforms are also on the procurement list of several nations.

time-read
10+ mins  |
June/July 2021
TIME TO RESET TRILATERAL RELATIONS
Asian Military Review

TIME TO RESET TRILATERAL RELATIONS

United States President Joe Biden has made it a top priority of his Administration to repair and re-energize global alliances during its first year in power. This is a necessary strategic and political calculus made in light of growing global security, public health, and environmental challenges that will require cooperation and multilateral contributions. President Trump’s ‘America first’ policy did much to undermine confidence in such relationships over his time in office.

time-read
3 mins  |
June/July 2021
SOCPAC KEEN TO SHARE JOINT DOCTRINE AND TRAINING
Asian Military Review

SOCPAC KEEN TO SHARE JOINT DOCTRINE AND TRAINING

The return of Great Power competition means that US SOCPAC is more than ever seeking joint training opportunities with regional special forces.

time-read
9 mins  |
June/July 2021
MARINE ENGINE POWER - NOT JUST ABOUT KNOTS
Asian Military Review

MARINE ENGINE POWER - NOT JUST ABOUT KNOTS

Navies not only want more engine power, there are also coming under increasing pressure to become environmentally conscious.

time-read
9 mins  |
June/July 2021
AMPHIBIOUS FORCES
Asian Military Review

AMPHIBIOUS FORCES

New amphibious concepts are re-shaping marine forces to break the A2AD defensive line.

time-read
9 mins  |
June/July 2021
SPACE V AIRBORNE ISR OR MIX AND MATCH
Asian Military Review

SPACE V AIRBORNE ISR OR MIX AND MATCH

Owning satellite based ISR for military use is still an exclusive ‘club’, but airborne ISR still provides that most countries need.

time-read
9 mins  |
April/May 2021
SHIPBUILDING - A NUMBERS GAME
Asian Military Review

SHIPBUILDING - A NUMBERS GAME

While experience grows among Indo-Pacific naval designers, order numbers remain crucial to keeping costs down and yards in business.

time-read
10+ mins  |
April/May 2021