The Australian government is reviewing a Ukrainian request to acquire retired Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters, a potential transfer that could mark Canberra’s most significant military contribution to Kyiv in more than a year.
According to an ABC News Australia report, the proposal is under active consideration as the Albanese government prepares to unveil a new defense assistance package for Ukraine, expected to be announced in the coming days. The review comes amid intensified appeals from Kyiv and its Western partners for additional military support, particularly in aviation, air defense, and artillery, as Russia continues large-scale attacks across multiple fronts.
Minister for Defence Richard Marles confirmed in Parliament last week that a fresh aid package is imminent. “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. He did not provide specifics but signaled that the forthcoming commitment would be “revealed very shortly.”
Australia’s fleet of 22 Tiger helicopters—European-designed and operated by the Australian Army since 2004—is currently being phased out as the Defence Force transitions to the more advanced U.S.-built AH-64E Apache Guardian. Canberra has ordered 29 Apaches, with two aircraft already delivered and additional units expected in 2026. Full delivery is scheduled for completion by 2029.
The Tigers are slated for complete withdrawal from service by 2028, but defense planners have indicated that disposal timelines could be accelerated. If transferred to Ukraine, the helicopters would still have remaining service life, making them potentially valuable assets for Kyiv, which continues to suffer heavy aviation losses and faces a shrinking fleet of operational attack helicopters.
Sources cited by ABC News say that while no final decision has been reached, any approval to send the Tiger helicopters would likely be treated as a separate initiative from the upcoming financial support package.
The possible transfer of Tigers comes one year after intense public backlash over the Australian Defence Force’s decision to dismantle and bury its retired MRH-90 Taipan helicopters. Despite expressed Ukrainian interest in obtaining the airframes or at least salvaging them for spare parts, the aircraft were destroyed following safety concerns and regulatory considerations. The move sparked criticism from Australia’s Ukrainian community and fueled debate over Canberra’s broader defense disposal policies.
The Tiger deliberations suggest the government is now moving more cautiously, weighing both strategic impact and public perception as it considers transferring assets that still retain operational value.
If approved, the Tiger transfer would represent Australia’s first new tranche of heavy military equipment to Ukraine since October 2024, when Canberra pledged 49 U.S.-built M1A1 Abrams tanks. That commitment was part of a multibillion-dollar aid program aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s armored warfare capabilities.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Australia has provided approximately $1.5 billion in combined military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, including Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles, anti-armor systems, ammunition, and financial support for NATO-led trust funds.
However, deliveries of new equipment have slowed in the past year amid internal debates over defense readiness, budget pressures linked to Australia’s long-term modernization programs, and political scrutiny over the scale of ongoing commitments.
Ukraine continues to push for expanded aviation support from its partners. The potential addition of Tiger helicopters—while limited in number—could provide much-needed reinforcement for Ukrainian ground operations, particularly in reconnaissance and close support roles. Western military analysts note that the Tigers would require training, maintenance support, and possibly integration of new munitions compatible with Ukraine’s existing inventories.
