The British military acquired five new Airbus H135 helicopters in 2022 under a program known as “Project Matcha”, with the intention that they would operate in Northern Ireland to replace Gazelle helicopters operating in the province.

At some point after agreeing to purchase these aircraft, a different decision was made and the requirement evaporated.  Consequently, as each airframe was delivered between April and September 2022 from the production line in Germany, they were immediately parked up at Airbus Helicopters’ UK base at Oxford.  Later, between 12th January and 17th March 2023 they were each ferried to RAF Shawbury and put into storage.

All five aircraft were delivered on UK civil registrations, and continue to be on the British civil register.

This week, Richard Marles, the Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, has announced that his country has been working closely together with the UK Government to bring these training helicopters to Australia, with operations expected to commence in Oakey, Queensland, by mid-year.

Australia plans to lease the helicopters for five years, with the cost to be funded from within Defence’s existing budget.