There could have still been potential for Australian defence industry participation had they chosen to upgrade the Iroquois to Huey II and/or enhance the Blackhawk - both well-proven battlefield support types - at much lower cost. But the problem was a former MinDef and a former Army CDF were/are both employed by Tenix/BAE Systems who have been awarded multiple major projects. Announcement of the MRH-90 and LPD acquisitions was made by former Prime Minister John Howard just a week or 2 before he called Election 2007 wherein he was defeated; so a sort of going away present for his former Minister for Defence!
Last edited by Bushranger 71; 13th Apr 2011 at 03:36.