Defence will complete modifications to 12 Black Hawk helicopters to provide a basic level of electronic warfare self-protection but discontinue work on a more advanced equipment suite including the Australian-developed ALR-2002 radar warning receiver.
"Defence has reassessed the operational requirement and has determined that the fitting of additional electronic warfare self-protection capabilities would have an adverse effect on aircraft availability," Combet said.
"Black Hawk helicopters are currently being utilised for a wide variety of roles for the ADF and it is vital that they continue to be available to fulfil these roles.
"Defence also advised the Government that the return on investment involved in completing, installing and sustaining the advanced electronic warfare suite would not be justified given the remaining life of the Black Hawk fleet."
"This decision will return savings of $50 million to Defence," Combet said.
Project Echidna also included the modification of all 12 C130H aircraft to provide a missile warning, radar warning and counter measures dispense capability.
In announcing this decision, Mr Combet stressed that prime contractor BAE Systems on the Echidna project should be congratulated on its performance.