The Australian Government has approved the $ 2 billion puchase of thirty-four MRH 90 helicopters to be built in Brisbane.

Delivery of the first twelve is scheduled from December 2007 through to December 2009.

It’s expected that somewhere around skilled 400 jobs will be created at the Eurocopter subsidiary Australian Aerospace. (Australian Aerospace is currently assembling the army’s Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters.)

Australian Aerospace chief executive Joseph Saporito said:

“This decision creates the prospect of Australia becoming more involved in the global helicopter supply chain, more exports from Australia, more jobs, the development of new skills in the latest composite fibre manufacturing and construction techniques and more investment by Australian Aerospace.”