Australia Considers Transferring Tiger Attack Helicopters to Ukraine
Australia is weighing a significant military decision: transferring its fleet of retiring Airbus Tiger attack helicopters to Ukraine. According to reporting from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on December 3, 2025, discussions between Canberra and Kyiv are underway as the Australian Army transitions to Boeing AH-64E Apache helicopters.
Ukraine formally requested the Tiger transfer as Australia prepares to retire its 22-aircraft fleet. The Tigers, which entered service in the mid-2000s, are scheduled for retirement in 2028, though that timeline could accelerate with the Apache transition already underway. No final decision has been made, and any transfer would be handled separately from Australia’s newly announced military assistance initiatives.
The potential transfer represents a strategic opportunity for Ukraine’s rotary-wing operations. The European-designed attack helicopters could bolster Kyiv’s capabilities at a critical juncture when its helicopter fleet remains heavily reliant on aging Soviet-era platforms. Tigers equipped with rapid-fire cannons and guided rockets would enable low-level strike missions, anti-armor engagements, and night operations—capabilities Ukraine increasingly needs along active frontlines. Additionally, their advanced sensor packages and guided-weapon integration could enhance counter-drone operations against the slow, low-flying systems now prevalent in contemporary conflict.
The helicopter discussion arrives alongside substantial new Australian support for Ukraine. On December 3, 2025, Australia announced its largest military aid increase in over a year: a AU$95 million (US$64 million) package bringing total military assistance to AU$1.7 billion since February 2022. The package includes AU$43 million in Australian Defence Force equipment, tactical air defense radars, munitions, and contributions to the Drone Capability Coalition. Notably, Australia and New Zealand will become the first non-NATO contributors to NATO’s Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List.
Canberra simultaneously imposed sanctions on 45 Russian vessels identified as components of Russia’s shadow fleet, used to circumvent international oil trade restrictions.
Historically, Australia rejected Ukraine’s earlier request for retiring MRH-90 Taipan helicopters in early 2024, citing poor condition and prohibitive restoration costs. Those aircraft were subsequently dismantled for parts resale. The Tiger situation differs materially, with aircraft in better operational condition and scheduled for systematic retirement.
Australia’s Apache acquisition, approved in January 2021 for AU$5.34 billion, reflects the military’s strategic pivot toward proven, mature platforms. The 29 AH-64Es represent a substantial modernization investment, with deliveries commencing in 2025. This transition mirrors broader Australian defense procurement trends emphasizing capability, reliability, and operational sustainability over legacy systems.
Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764774046428-1116