The first four aircraft were manufactured in France, two aircraft will be manufactured in Germany and the remaining will be assembled at the Australian Aerospace Brisbane facility. The first of the Australian assembled aircraft was accepted in December 2008. Eight MRH are now in service. Training for Navy and Army air and ground crew is being conducted in purpose-built training facilities in Townsville.
Aircraft operating with Army's 5th Aviation Regiment in Townsville have achieved a slower rate of effort (hours flown) than planned resulting in a likely delay of up to six months in the forecast IOC for Army to late 2011. Other major milestones remain on schedule and IOC for Navy is planned for mid 2010. Flying rate issues are being addressed and are not expected to affect FOC achievement in 2014. The project is expected to deliver the capability within the approved budget.