- Australia is considering transferring its retiring Tiger attack helicopters to Ukraine as part of broader military support.
- The potential helicopter transfer would be separate from a new defense aid package expected to be announced soon.
The Australian government is reviewing a Ukrainian request to transfer retired Tiger attack helicopters as it prepares a new round of defense aid to support Kyiv’s ongoing war with Russia.
According to a report from ABC News Australia, the potential transfer of European-built Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters comes as Canberra finalizes an additional military support package for Ukraine, expected to be announced soon.
Australia’s Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, told Parliament last week that a new assistance package would be revealed “very shortly.”
“Over the course of the last four years, the people of Ukraine have been absolutely inspirational and the Albanese government and the Australian people will stand by them for as long as it takes,” Marles said.
The Tigers, which first entered Australian Army service in 2004, are being phased out in favor of 29 U.S.-built AH-64E Apache helicopters, with final deliveries scheduled by 2029. Two Apaches have already arrived in Australia, and more are expected in 2026.
Australia’s Tiger fleet consists of 22 aircraft. They are scheduled to be fully withdrawn by 2028, although defense officials have indicated that this timeline may be accelerated. If sent to Ukraine, the aircraft would be transferred before reaching the end of their service life.
The consideration of the Tiger transfer follows public outcry in 2024 when the Australian Defence Force dismantled and buried its retired MRH-90 Taipan helicopters, despite interest from Kyiv in acquiring the airframes for spare parts. That move drew criticism from Australia’s Ukrainian community.
While no formal decision has been made, sources familiar with the matter told ABC that if the Tiger helicopters are approved for delivery to Ukraine, the move would be treated as a separate action from the forthcoming financial package.
Australia has not provided new military equipment to Ukraine since October 2024, when it committed to sending 49 U.S.-built M1A1 Abrams tanks. The tanks were part of an earlier multibillion-dollar support framework designed to enhance Ukraine’s armored maneuver capabilities on the battlefield.
The total value of Australian military and humanitarian support to Ukraine has reached approximately $1.5 billion since the start of the full-scale war in 2022. Ukrainian officials and Western allies have continued to call for additional air defense, artillery, and aviation support amid ongoing Russian attacks.