The former US marine pilot at the centre of claims military aviators had been training the Chinese has been unfairly singled out for political gain, argued his lawyer on Tuesday.
As part of the agreement, signed off by the US, the country will also procure a tailored sustainment solution, information technology and software support, as well as a training program.
The mission was in support of an initiative that sees the Australian government work with more than 150 research institutions globally to study the region.
The truck-mounted devices can also be transported by C-17 Globemasters, and have recently proved crucial in turning the tide in the war in Ukraine.
Daniel Duggan, now an Australian citizen, still has multiple avenues to appeal, including to the Federal and High Courts, and had earlier signalled he would fight the decision.
The four-engined Ukrainian aircraft’s livery now carries the message ‘Be Brave Like Okhtyrka’, in honour of the city bombed early in the Russian invasion of the country.