By GUY MARTIN // JOHANNESBURG
On the second last day of April, the US State Department approved the sale of four Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters to Australia, which will bring the Australian Army’s Chinook fleet to fourteen if the contract goes ahead. The proposed sale is a major boost for Australian Army aviation and for Boeing, which counts half a dozen Chinook customers in the Asia-Pacific, with several more being eyed.
The US State Department said the possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of CH-47F helicopters and related equipment from US Army stock is worth an estimated US $259 million. The contract includes four F model helicopters, eight T55-GA-714A engines and avionics systems as well as five AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS). Compared to earlier Chinooks, the F model has a revised airframe, an upgraded Honeywell Aerospace T55-GA714A engine, corrosion protection, a digital automatic flight control system, a Common Missile Warning System and a glass cockpit. Some F models also have the Cargo On/Off Loading System (COOLS), which puts rollers into the Chinook’s floor.
The US said the Chinook sale “is vital to the US interest national to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defence capability.” Australia is part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (‘the Quad’) group of nations including the US, Japan and India, and the US State Department in its notification said “Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region.”
Operating a helicopter in the Chinook class is a firm priority for the Australian Defence Force – the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and accompanying Force Structure Plan mention the future acquisition of long-range rotorcraft and a Next Generation Rotorcraft from the 2030s as well as the continued operation of CH-47Fs for the provision of mobility, logistic support and aeromedical evacuation of land forces. The additional CH-47F deal comes amid continued problems with the MRH90 Taipan fleet and its poor availability.
Australian Army Chinooks have served the military well, notably playing a key role in heavy lift and troop transport operations in Afghanistan between 2006 and 2013. More recently, they were deployed under Operation Bushfire Assist in 2019/2020 when they supported firefighting operations and delivered humanitarian assistance to remote and isolated communities in South Australia and Victoria.
Chinooks have been flying in Australian military service for 45 years, with an initial 12 CH-47Cs entering service with the Royal Australian Air Force in 1974. Although operated by the Air Force, the Chinook’s main role was to support the Army, being used to move troops, artillery pieces and other supplies. They also responded to disasters, notably floods, and were used for civilian construction tasks and to help free grounded ships, amongst others.
To read the whole story, click here.
For Editorial Inquiries Contact:
Editor Kym Bergmann at kym.bergmann@venturamedia.net
For Advertising Inquiries Contact:
Director of Sales Graham Joss at graham.joss@venturamedia.net
