Senator Hill said the increased capacity will open opportunities for the production of variants of the NH 90 for other regional nations, such as the production of New Zealand’s version of the helicopter.

"Defence will this week hold talks with the New Zealand Government to explore opportunities for cooperation on the MRH 90 program, and will strongly encourage New Zealand to use the Brisbane facility to build its troop lift helicopters," Senator Hill said. "Securing the New Zealand contract would provide mutual benefits to Australia and New Zealand, particularly in relation to through-life support."

Australian Aerospace is a subsidiary of Eurocopter and the acceptance of the Tiger Helicopter is another example of Defence and Australian industry working together to provide new capabilities for the ADF.

The new Tiger is one of the most advanced helicopters of its type in the world and will add significant firepower, protection and mobility to the Australian Army, providing a capability that Defence has never had before," Senator Hill said.

"Its sensors, data links and state of the art communications provide Army with a significant increase in technology and capability. The Tiger’s flexibility, ability to deploy at short notice and to operate in diverse circumstances represents an evolution in the Army's operational versatility."

The heavily armed Tiger is fitted with Hellfire missiles, 70 mm rockets and a 30 mm cannon and will significantly enhance the reconnaissance and firepower capabilities of the Army’s combined arms team, which will soon include the MRH 90 Troop Lift Helicopters and the Abrams Main Battle Tank.

"The Army will now be able to conduct tactical reconnaissance and provide armed escort for troop lift helicopters on air mobile operations," Senator Hill said.

The Army will receive 22 Tiger ARH aircraft, flight and maintenance simulators and through-life support as part of the $1.3 billion project. The first four aircraft were manufactured in France, with the first two delivered in December 2004. The remaining 18 are being built in Brisbane and will be in operation by 2009. The Australian industry involvement for the Tiger helicopter project is worth approximately $640 million over the life of the aircraft.

Delivery of this helicopter is a significant step for the aerospace industry in Australia that will continue to develop with the assembly of the MRH 90 troop lift helicopters at the Brisbane facility. The new MRH 90 aircraft will increase Army’s troop lift capability by more than half and give the Army the ability to move more soldiers further and faster from our amphibious lift ships.

The multi-role helicopter is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, larger cabin capacity, full fly-by-wire flight control system and digital cockpit. The first MRH 90 helicopter will be delivered in 2007, with all 12 aircraft expected to be delivered by 2010.