Tiger V DAP.
Of course we could have used the DAP in Oz...it was the obvious choice to almost everyone except the project team. Importantly for a country like Oz it offered the following advantages over the Tiger:
1. Range Range and more Range. Not many FARPS in Oz.
2. Carries lots of hate, plus it's own reload. Not many FARPS in Oz.
3. Can pick up downed aircrew. Not many aircraft in Oz.
4. Commonality with existing fleet (though that is now going to change). Not many maintainers in Oz.
5. Wont get shot down as "foriegn" around the Yanks (though no gaurantee). The Yanks are the most likely in-theatre Allies - as opposed to the French.
6. The Yanks can refuel, re-arm, and repair the thing.
7. Most appropriate armament/ordnance mix for Oz environment.
BUT..... the Kiowa guys on the project team would not be seen dead in one!!
Oh, AND..... they tied the "Armed" bit to Recce, not utility, so they could get a skinny two seater, thus the DAP was no chance from the start.
Although this compromised on the Aerial Fire Support role, it did lead to the acquisition of a very fine armed recce helicopter - probably the world's best.
As long as the grunts don't need close in support, the colonels don't need battlefield viewpoints, we also acquire a light utility airframe for the command and liason, and there are lots of Yank DAPs about to help us, the Tiger will fully meet the needs of the Australian Army for decades to come.
Arm Up.