Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed the MRH-90 Taipan helicopters won’t return to flying as part of Australian Defence Force operations.

The helicopters were scheduled to be withdrawn from service in December 2024.

The early phasing out of the Taipans follows a crash off the Queensland coast in July, which killed four people on board during military drills as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre.

Marles said the decision did not indicate the outcome of investigations into the crash.

“The MRH-90 has been an important capability for our country and defence force and I recognise the hard work of the hundreds of people who dedicated themselves to acquiring, operating and sustaining the aircraft,” he said.

“The government’s highest priority is the safety and wellbeing of our people. We continue to support the families of the four soldiers who lost their lives earlier this year and the broader defence community.”

The defence force will still use CH-47F Chinooks, Tigers and MH‑60R Seahawks as part of its helicopter fleet.

New AH-64E Apache helicopters will be rolled out from 2025 for use within the Army.

Marles said the government had been looking at speeding up the rollout of Black Hawk helicopters.

“The first of the 40 Black Hawks that will replace the MRH-90 have arrived and are already flying in Australia. We are focused on seeing their introduction to service as quickly as possible,” he said.

-AAP