Thread by @WarintheFuture

This is becoming a growing scandal for the Australian government, which refuses to provide reasonable answers to questions about why these aircraft can’t be transferred to #Ukraine. 1/9 🧵

https://twitter.com/andrewbgreene/status/1746478316486615289

2/ For those who propose they are ‘too complex’ for Ukraine to operate, I present the evidence of M1 and Leopard 2 tanks, HiMARS, SCALP missiles and the Patriot air defence system. All of which Ukraine has mastered.

3/ For those who claim ‘supportability’ issues, Taipans in Ukraine would be much closer to the European support bases used by nearly a dozen other military organisations for these helicopters. The same argument was used to initially deny tanks, missiles and F16s to #Ukraine.

4/ For those who claim the Taipans aren’t fit for purpose, perhaps we should ask the views of Finland, Germany, New Zealand, Spain, France, Belgium, Sweden and other nations who successfully operate them.

5/ Not only is this a scandalous decision, it is immoral. Rushing to bury useable helicopters rather than transferring them to a nation fighting for its life is shameful and a national embarrassment.

6/ These helicopters could be vital in transporting battlefield casualties. The ability to get wounded soldiers to appropriate military hospitals inside the ‘golden hour’ can save many, many lives. Burying the Taipans denies this mission to the Ukrainian ground forces.

7/ The Australian government should immediately suspend any disposal action on the Taipans. Further, it should establish a rapid & independent review of whether they are technically capable of still being flown and sent to Ukraine.

8/ The lack of transparency around this issue speaks poorly of Defence, the government and democracy here. As a country, we can and should do much better to communicate government decision making to citizens. And to support other democracies in desperate need of assistance.

9/ To @AlboMP and @RichardMarlesMP, I only ask that you lead Australia in doing the right thing here. At the very least, we owe our citizens & #Ukraine a full & honest answer of what has happened & what we can do to resolve this situation. I believe our country can do better. End