The delivery of retired Taipan helicopters could become a symbol of Australia’s enduring support for Ukraine, said Stefan Romaniw, the UWC First Vice President and Co-Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO), in an interview with SkyNews.
“Ukraine needs more help now. In terms of the Taipans, our understanding is that they have been dismantled. But these helicopters could have been used in Ukraine because Ukraine needs them now. If that’s not going to be Taipans, then it needs to be something else. We are on the eve of the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It’s time to make a stronger commitment to Ukraine,” Romaniw emphasized.
Technically, the reassembly of helicopters and their transfer to Ukraine remains possible, according to experts in the field. Romaniw emphasizes that Australia’s assistance to Ukraine has recently decreased. However, the Ukrainian community regularly communicates with the Australian government and urges increased support.
“We believe that these Taipans, these helicopters would be of great need in Ukraine – for us, very, very important that we get the message across to the Australian government,” said the UWC First Vice President and thanked Australia for the assistance that had already been provided to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Earlier, the AFUO called on the Australian government to deliver a fleet of retired Taipan helicopters to Ukraine. “The Australian Defence Force has said they don’t want these helicopters anymore. But instead of recycling them and agreeing to Ukraine’s official request, the Government has decided to break them down into parts and scrap and bury them in the ground,” AFUO wrote.
Cover: SkyNews screenshot
