Singapore To Buy Airbus H225M, Boeing CH47F Choppers To Replace Older Helicopter Fleet

Singapore has agreed to procure Airbus medium-lift H225M and Boeing heavy-lift CH47F helicopters to replace its aging fleet of Super Pumas and Chinooks.

"The H225M and CH-47F possess better lift and reach capabilities and will enable the air force to meet the Singapore Armed Forces's lift requirements more efficiently with fewer helicopters and less manpower," Singaporean ministry of defense said Monday.

There was no mention of the number of helicopters Singapore is buying.

Singapore had earlier in June put the deal worth over $1 billion on hold after a civilian Airbus Super Puma crashed in April this year. The April 29 crash killed 13 oil workers and crew off the coast of Norway.

The Super Pumas and older Chinooks "have been in service since 1983 and 1994 respectively and are facing obsolescence", the ministry said.

The helicopters will help in a wide spectrum of operations, including search and rescue, aeromedical evacuation, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.