 | Fleet Air Arm |
| Fleet Air Arm |
20 September 2011
The Royal Australian Navy has signed a new contract with Raytheon Australia to provide
three Bell 429 helicopters aimed at maintaining and developing the skills of junior naval helicopter aircrew.
The contract is worth around $26 million over four years and includes support and maintenance.
The Minister for Defence Materiel, Jason Clare, said yesterday the helicopters would be operated by Navy's 723 Squadron in Nowra. "This is one way the Navy is making sure that pilots and aircrew are ready for the new Romeo combat helicopters which will start arriving in 2014," he said.
"Junior aircrew initially train in Squirrel helicopters. They will then move
to the Bell 429 to improve and maintain their skills. This gives young Naval pilots and aircrew the chance to hone their skills before they start flying the new combat helicopters."
The new helicopters will operate for four years from 2012 and are expected to fly around 1500 hours per year."
See also 24 MH-60R Seahawk Helicopters for Fleet Air Arm
or
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