The Taipan fleet will not return to flying operations before the previously planned withdrawal date of December 2024, Defence Minister Richard Marles said. Australia in January said it would buy 40 Black Hawk military helicopters, manufactured by Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), for an estimated A$2.8 billion ($1.80 billion). The Black Hawks are set to replace the Australian army's fleet of Taipan helicopters, which have been plagued for years by maintenance issues. "The first of the 40 Black Hawks that will replace the (Taipan) MRH-90 have arrived and are already flying in Australia. Marles acknowledged there would be "capability challenges" without an operational Taipan fleet and as defence waits for the delivery of more Black Hawks.

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Persons: Dinuka, Richard Marles, Lockheed Martin, Marles, Italy's Leonardo, Leonardo, Renju Jose, Jamie Freed Organizations: Australian Navy, Australian Landing Helicopter, REUTERS, Rights, United States, Black Hawk, Lockheed, Black Hawks, Australian, Airbus, ABC, Thomson Locations: Canberra, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Australia, France, Norway, Queensland, United States, Sydney