Australia’s Troop Lift Helicopters are one step closer to arrival with the cockpit, fuselage and tail section of the first of four helicopters under assembly in France having completed the bonding and mating process and the second is in the mating jig.

Defence Materiel Organisation is procuring a total of twelve Troop lift helicopters for Army.

The remaining aircraft will be assembled in Brisbane by Australian Aerospace, a subsidiary of Eurocopter.

Other significant industry activities such as training, manufacture of composite panels engine assembly and testing and sub system development will also be completed in Australia.

Introduction into service of the helicopters is expected to commence from the end of 2007 with the final delivery of the 12 aircraft to their new squadron in Townsville by the end of 2009.

They’re on their way: The first major step in delivery and production of the Army’s 12 Troop Lift Helicopters began in December at the Eurocopter facility in Marignane France.