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 and certain civil-helicopter main gear boxes.

Planned to be set up in an existing facility of Leonardo and to commence operation in mid-2020, the centre will employ at least 12 technical staff for 30 years or more.

Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne MP, congratulated Leonardo (www.leonardocompany.com) and its local subsidiary (Leonardo Australia) for committing to the establishment of this regional centre of excellence.

“Establishing this repair and overhaul facility locally means less reliance on foreign support for our MRH Taipan helicopters, and the same for certain local civil-helicopter operators.

The government is investing — along with Leonardo — in a defence-capability-enhancing facility, while also creating new high-skill employment opportunities.”

The Federal Government is investing around $16 million in the facility; a similar amount is 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 begin to replace Black Hawk in the 6th Aviation Regiment in Sydney.

Establishing a local repair and overhaul facility will contribute to greater helicopter availability.