Updated 24/6
Two additional CH-47F Chinook helicopters will arrive at RAAF Base Townsville today after an expedited sale from the United States Government.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the two additional Chinooks were part of the Australian Government’s $595 million investment in heavy-lift battlefield aviation capability.
“The Australian Government is demonstrating its commitment to bolstering Defence’s ability to prepare our ADF to be future ready,” Minister Conroy said.
“The Chinook is Defence’s largest helicopter, which has been instrumental in recent missions including Operation Bushfire Assist in 2019-20, Operation Tonga Assist in 2022 and Operation Queensland/New South Wales Flood Assist in 2022.
“The helicopters will provide Defence with additional lift capacity and strengthen Army’s ability to support operations globally.”
The two additional aircraft will join the Australian Army Aviation Command’s existing 12 CH-47F Chinook medium-lift helicopters operated by C Squadron, 5th Aviation Regiment.
“We thank our United States counterparts, including the United States Army, for their support in this rapid acquisition,” Minister Conroy said.
Boeing will continue partnering with the Australian Army and Australian industry on the CH-47F Integrated Support Services contract, delivering local engineering, maintenance, training and supply chain support to keep the Chinooks mission ready.
“For more than 40 years, the Chinook has been the backbone of the Australian Defence Force’s rotary wing heavy-lift capability, providing vital assistance for humanitarian, disaster relief, and military missions, both locally and overseas,” Scott Carpendale, managing director and vice president, Boeing Defence Australia, said.
“Our Boeing Defence Australia team in Townsville, Oakey and Brisbane continues to grow and is proud to be delivering a highly capable sovereign platform sustainment capability that maintains the Chinooks’ operational readiness.
“The success of the contract, and of the Chinooks’ performance, is a testament to our strong partnership with the Australian Army and the Department of Defence and we thank them for their confidence in Boeing to continue supporting this mission critical fleet and the women and men who operate them.”