The US Department of State has approved the possible sale of three more Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters to Australia.
The potential Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program deal, which is valued at US$180 million and includes related equipment and support, would take the Australian Army’s fleet size to 10 aircraft.
Boeing said it delivered the seventh CH-47F for Army in August, within budget and three weeks ahead of schedule, under an agreement struck in 2012. The AIR 9000 Phase 5C Medium Lift Helicopters project called for the acquisition of seven aircraft to replace six CH-47D helicopters.
Australia’s CH-47Fs will be maintained in the US Army’s baseline configuration, with the main difference being the fitment of a rotor brake to allow embarked operations from the Canberra class amphibious assault ships.
