Chopper fleet grounded as search continues for missing soldiers

The model of military helicopter involved in a crash off the Queensland coast has been grounded as the search continues for the four men on board.

The national fleet of MRH-90 Taipans was set to be phased out of use next year, but in the meantime have been taken out of the air following the disaster this weekend.

Four military personnel are still missing after a Taipan went down near Lindeman Island, which is near Hamilton Island, at about 11pm on Friday during the Talisman Sabre military exercises with four personnel onboard.

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Australian Army Chief Lieutenant General Simon Stuart yesterday identified those missing as Captain Daniel Lyon, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Corporal Alexander Naggs, and Laycock.

All four aviators are from the 6th aviation regiment based at the Holsworthy army barracks in Sydney.

The search for the men continues today, with an exclusion zone of more than 100 square kilometres in place off the coast.

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The crash marks one of Australia's worst peacetime military disasters in almost 20 years, and came as the aircraft was being phased out of military use.

The decision to discontinue their use was made after one went down off the coast of New South Wales near Jervis Bay in March. Ten people were on-board, but all managed to make their way out.

The fleet was also grounded then but returned to the skies in April with "risk mitigations" in place, a Defence spokesperson said at the time.

An investigation is underway into the current accident, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was a reminder that there were no "safe and easy days" for people in the military.

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Albanese offered his condolences to the families of the victims, who he said were trying to "build a more peaceful and safe world" during the failed operation.

"On behalf of our nation, our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and colleagues of those who are missing," he said.

"Our thoughts are also with those that they serve alongside - friends, brothers and sisters in uniform who even now are aiding in the search effort. I'd also like to thank the support from other nations during this search effort".

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