THE US government has decided to sell 12 attack helicopters and an electronic warfare plane to Australia for more than US$1 billion (RM4.2 billion), the US State Department said yesterday.

Australia, which recently signed a strategic defence alliance with the United States and the UK as a way to counter a rising China, had asked to acquire 12 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and accompanying equipment to the tune of US$985 million.

President Joe Biden’s administration has told Congress it decided to go ahead with this sale, the State Department said.

The helicopters are multi-mission aircraft that can be deployed on a ship for operations against surface vessels or submarines, but also for rescue, refuelling or transport purposes.

Australia also asked to buy a Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jet and the US agreed, the State Department said.

“Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific,” the State Department said. 

“The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region. It is vital to the US national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defence capability,” it added.

Australia already has 24 Seahawk helicopters and around 10 Growlers.

The three-way military pact announced last month by the US, the UK and Australia will see the latter acquire US nuclear-powered submarines and at the same time cancel a huge contract with France for conventional subs. – AFP, October 9, 2021.