Tigers Land in Darwin
(August 6, 2008) -- The Army's capability in the Northern Territory has received a significant boost with the recent arrival of the first three Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters, 'Tigers', to be based in Darwin.
Speaking at the new purpose built facilities at Robertson Barracks, the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP said that ultimately it is planned to have 17 Tiger helicopters based in Darwin as part of the 1st Aviation Regiment, forming two flying squadrons - the 161st and 162nd Reconnaissance Squadrons. These squadrons will be co-located with the Army's 1st Brigade.
"Embedding the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters within the 1st Armoured Brigade will build a cohesive combat force, where the individuals know and trust each other as they ready for the demands of modern warfare," said Mr Snowdon.
The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, said the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters are a major step forward for the Army's capability, and will provide the ADF with highly capable sensors for day and night reconnaissance and surveillance operations, communication and networking capabilities, and a formidable weapon system including the Hellfire precision guided missile system and a 30 millimetre chin mounted gun turret.
The Tiger is one of the most technologically advanced helicopters of its type in the world. It is software driven, and constructed using 80 per cent composite materials which give it remarkable stealth characteristics.
"It is fair to say that our troops in the north have never had any equipment like this before, and it is a credit to the ADF and industry based in Darwin that they can support such an advanced capability," Mr Fitzgibbon said.
The brand new Tiger helicopter facilities at Robertson Barracks were built at a cost of $70 million, and were designed and delivered through locally based contractors. The facilities provide a home base for the Army's Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter Regiment and the specialist maintenance and logistic support team from the Tiger prime contractor, Australian Aerospace.
A total of 22 Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters will be delivered to the ADF for $1.2 billion under Defence's AIR 87 project. All except the first four helicopters will be assembled in Australia.
Source : MoD Australia
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