Australia has blocked the transfer of 45 old helicopters to Kyiv

The helicopters in question are MRH90 Taipan models, according to local media reports. The country’s Ministry of Defense decided that the transport helicopters were too old for safe operation and made the decision to send them for disposal.

Ukraine had been seeking the transfer of these machines since October, according to the article. According to Kyiv’s statements, the helicopters were needed for evacuating soldiers. However, the Australian defense minister held a meeting where he stated the impossibility of supplying the helicopters to Ukraine. Reasons cited included the inability to service the machines after they were transferred to the Ukrainian army.

Earlier, another conflict between Ukraine and Australia had soured relations between the countries. The issue also revolved around the assistance Canberra intended to provide to Kyiv. A senior Ukrainian general stated that Australian F-18 fighters were “junk,” and Kyiv would refuse to even accept them for free.