AIRBUS CLAIMS $2 BILLION IN SAVINGS IF AUSTRALIA STICKS WITH TIGER HELICOPTER

摘要

Australian taxpayers will save AU$3 billion (U.S. $2 billion) out to 2040 by incrementally upgrading the Australian Army's 22 Tiger helicopters, rather than replacing the fleet, according to an Airbus official. Australia is seeking to replace its Airbus-made Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters with up to 29 proven, mature, off-the-shelf armed helos under Project Land 4503 following a request for information on July 10. The country's requirement is for up to 24 helos to equip two operational squadrons, with five further airframes for training. The RFI specifies an initial operational capability (IOC) in the 2026 time frame and a final operational capability (FOC) to follow around 2028.