Member for Gilmore, Ann Sudmalis, and Head of the Defence Materiel Organisation – Helicopters, Tactical Unmanned Systems and Guided Weapons Division, Rear Admiral Tony Dalton inside one of the MH-60R flight simulators during the commissioning ceremony held at HMAS Albatross.

The first of two MH-60R Seahawk ‘Romeo’ helicopter simulators has been commissioned into service.

Minister for Defence Kevin Andrews said in a statement on Friday that the Romeo training system is part of the $3.2 billion project that will deliver 24 naval combat helicopters for the Royal Australian Navy.

“The training system will include two full-motion flight simulators and a wide range of sophisticated maintenance trainers, allowing Navy’s Seahawk Romeo crews to safely train in Australia across a wide range of operational and mission-related training scenarios,” Andrews said.

Training has already started at HMAS Albatross, which has a capacity of about 80 students a year. The second training simulator is due to be delivered next year, meanwhile the Romeo helicopters themselves are on track to achieve initial operational capability (IOC) at sea by August this year.