Last updated at 8:52am, 3 May 2021
The Defense Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) announced on April 29, that the US State Department has approved the sale of four additional Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters to Australia, under a proposed US$259 million foreign military sales (FMS) contract.
The new helicopters will be acquired from existing US Army stock and it is unclear if they are new or used airframes at this point in time. Equipment included in the latest FMS request is four helicopters with “customer unique” modifications, eight Honeywell T55-GA-714A engines, five BAE Systems AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS); eight Honeywell Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS)/Inertial Navigation Systems (INS/EGI); and two Eagle +429 Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS)/Inertial Navigation Systems (INS/EGI).
If the deal goes ahead, it with bring Army’s fleet of Chinooks to 14, following seven originally acquired under Air 9000 Phase 5C and delivered in 2015, and another three acquired under Land 4502 in 2016. The current fleet is operated by C Squadron/5th Aviation Regiment, based in Townsville.
“Boeing appreciates the Commonwealth of Australia’s decision to acquire additional H-47 Chinooks. We are proud of our enduring
partnership with the Australian Army and Australian industry. Boeing is committed to continuing to reliably deliver modern, proven, value for money sovereign operational capabilities to the Australian Defence Force, now and into the future,” a Boeing spokesperson commented.
“We look forward to working with the US Army and the ADF to deliver these aircraft in support of Australian
defence personnel in accordance with the required timeframe.”
In response to ADM’s further questions on the matter, Defence supplied the following statement late on Friday afternoon: “Defence has identified a potential opportunity to procure an additional four CH-47F Chinook helicopters to add capacity and resilience to the existing fleet of 10 aircraft.
“Defence has sought advice from the US Government on the feasibility of acquiring additional Chinooks via foreign military sales but no commitment has been made. The Australian Government will consider the potential acquisition of additional Chinooks in due course.”