Australia approved to purchase seven CH-47F Chinook helicopters for worth $671 million

The Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, today announced that the Government has given second pass approval to a major project to acquire seven CH-47F Chinook helicopters for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) at a cost of around A$755 million. "The Government has now approved the details of this procurement, announced in last year's White Paper, which will replace the existing fleet of six CH-47D Chinooks," Senator Faulkner said. "These new helicopters will give the ADF a robust, deployable medium-lift helicopter capability out to 2040." Senator Faulkner described the existing Chinook helicopters as the mainstay of the ADF's deployable medium-lift helicopter capability. He said the Chinook was an exceptionally versatile aircraft, capable of performing a wide range of roles, including moving combat units into battle, carrying out frontline aero-medical evacuation and performing a vital role in disaster relief. Senator Faulkner said that while the existing fleet of 'D' model Chinooks had provided outstanding support to the ADF since entering service in 1995, the aircraft faced increasing capability and support issues and had been replaced in production by the new 'F' model. "Capability and support issues in the current Chinook helicopters will be addressed with the acquisition of the new model aircraft, which will bring safety, supportability and operational benefits to the ADF," Senator Faulkner said. The CH-47F offers a range of improvements over the CH-47D including a strengthened airframe, to reduce airframe fatigue; significantly improved deployability; and digital systems supporting safer flying. Senator Faulkner said the new aircraft will be procured and maintained in the same broad configuration as the United States Army Chinooks, the principal CH-47F operator. This will provide enhanced benefits to the ADF in areas including spares, support, training and airworthiness.