The MH-60R 'Romeo' Seahawk embarked on HMAS Warramunga has been damaged after it broke loose from lashings securing it within the hangar of the Anzac class ship as it weathered heavy seas en route to Perth, according to Nowra local newspaper The South Coast Register.
HMAS Warramunga left Sydney in early October and was due to stop at Fleet Base West HMAS Stirling before continuing on its nine month deployment to the Middle East. The ship is due to replace HMAS Newcastle on Operation Manitou.
A Defence spokesperson told ADM the damage occurred on 9 October as HMAS Warramunga was transiting Bass Strait, and an initial investigation revealed one of the lashings securing the helicopter had failed.
"The aircraft was replaced with another MH-60R Seahawk and HMAS Warramunga’s deployment to the Middle East has not been affected.
"The Fleet Air Arm is still able to provide the necessary number of MH60R aircraft to the fleet," the spokesperson said. "Investigations into the incident are ongoing."