The MRH-90 Taipan helicopter fleet, which operates out of 808 Squadron at HMAS Albatross and various ships throughout the fleet, has been temporarily suspended from flying operations.

"Defence has temporarily suspended flying operations of the MRH-90 helicopter fleet as a safety precaution," a Defence spokesperson said.

"The issue relates to the application of the helicopter's maintenance policy in the helicopter's IT support system."

It has grounded the ADF's 47 multi-role Taipans for weeks.

The spokesperson said Defence and Airbus Australia Pacific are currently working collaboratively to remediate this issue.

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"Work continues to end this suspension as soon as possible," the spokesperson said.

The news comes just days before the multi-national Talisman Sabre military exercises, Australia's largest bilateral training activity with the United States, begins in Queensland, while members of the Townsville-based 5 Aviation Regiment were also expected to be flying the MRH-90 aircraft during Exercise Sea Explorer.

It is not the first time Defence has grounded the $3.8 billion fleet.

In 2019, the ADF grounded the entire Taipan fleet after one of the helicopters made a precautionary landing due to a tail rotor vibration.

That year it was also confirmed the Taipan remained on the Defence Department's "projects of concern" list.

While last year, parliament was told the door on the MRH-90 was too narrow to allow its gun to fire while troops were descending, and that a third round of remedial work was being carried out on the fleet.

There have been questions over the helicopter's long-term future.

The MRH-90 began entering service in 2007 to complement and then eventually replace the Australian Army's Black Hawks, and the RAN's Sea Kings.

Army and navy aviation will continue to support their exercise and operational commitments with Tiger, Chinook, Black Hawk and Seahawk helicopters.

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