UK Buys 14 Chinook Extended Range Helicopters From US

Defense News ,UK :-  The British government has recently inked a significant contract with the United States to acquire 14 CH-47F Chinook extended-range military helicopters. This procurement marks a crucial step in the UK's ongoing endeavors to bolster its heavy-lift capability and ensure operational readiness in challenging terrains like deserts and the Arctic.

As part of this acquisition, the upcoming fleet of Chinooks will not only double the range of the armed forces in rotorcraft-based missions but also integrate air-to-air refueling functionality, upgraded airframes, and advanced digital cockpits. These enhancements aim to enhance the stability and survivability of warfighters in diverse operational environments.

Each of the 14 aircraft will boast a maximum speed of 300 kilometers (190 miles) per hour and offer a capacity to accommodate either 55 troops or carry payloads of up to 10,000 kilograms (22,000 pounds).

This procurement represents a significant milestone for the UK, with negotiations between the British defense agency, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), and the US government resulting in a reduction of the procurement cost by over 300 million pounds ($382 million). Additionally, the foreign military sale will involve the participation of local British companies in producing critical elements related to the manufacturing and maintenance of the future Chinook fleet.

By engaging domestic industry players, this approach is poised to stimulate job creation in aircraft avionics and electric power sectors while injecting approximately 151 million pounds ($192 million) into the economy.

Grant Shapps, the UK Defence Secretary, expressed the importance of this procurement, stating, "Procuring these Chinook helicopters will mark a significant milestone in our efforts to modernise and enhance the agility of the UK Armed Forces, cementing our ability to respond at pace to situations and threats across the globe." He further emphasized the iconic status of the Chinook, which has played pivotal roles in every major conflict since the Falklands War. Delivering on this deal, according to Shapps, will not only augment the UK's capability but also bolster its industry and skills.

The UK has a long-standing association with the CH-47 series, being one of the longest CH-47 users alongside the US Army. Introduced into British military service in the 1980s, the Chinook served as a replacement for the Belvedere and Wessex helicopters. In 2018, the Pentagon approved a foreign military sale of 16 modernized Chinooks for the UK, with each aircraft expected to serve through the 2040s.