Michael McLaren is joined by Kym Bergmann, editor of Asia Pacific Defence Reporter, following reports that technicians are discreetly dismantling all 45 Army Taipan Multi Role Helicopters, valued at $20 million each on the second-hand market.

Rather than cutting them up, the helicopters are being disassembled due to their robust carbon fibre construction after originally being intended for burial on a Defence site.

In response to the backlash, Defence Minister Richard Marles now asserts that the helicopters will be disposed of to maximize their value, following the public reaction to the initial plan.

Rather than sell the Taipans to a competent user, such as Indonesia, Defence instead has offered New Zealand some pieces of hardware – for free.  These are likely to include some expensive items such as main, intermediate and rear-rotor gearboxes.

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