The State Department last week approved a possible $1.05 billion Foreign Military Sales (FMS) request to the Netherlands for 17 CH-47F cargo helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on March 19.

The primary contractor would be Boeing [BA].

CH-47F Chinook at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif. Photo: U.S. Army.
CH-47F Chinook at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif. Photo: U.S. Army.

The requested FMS would include 17 CH-47F Cargo Helicopters with customer unique post-modifications, 46 T55-GA-714A Aircraft Turbine Engines with Hydro-Mechanical Assembly (34 installed and 12 spares), 41 Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems (EGIs), 54 AN/ARC-231 Ultra High Frequency/Very High Frequency Radios, 21 AN/ARC-220 High Frequency Radios, 21 AN/APX-123A Identification Friend or Foe Transponders, and 41 AN/ARC-201D Very High Frequency Radios.

The contract would also include spare and repair parts, support equipment, tools and test equipment, aircraft ferry and refueling support, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical documentation, U.S. government and contractor technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support.

The Netherlands intends to use this equipment to strengthen its homeland defense, deter regional threats, and provide direct support to coalition and security cooperation efforts. The CH-47F is intended to supplement and eventually replace the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s fleet of CH-47 helicopters, DSCA said.

“The proposed sale of CH-47F aircraft will improve the Netherlands’ capability to meet current and future requirements for troop movement, medical evacuation, aircraft recovery, parachute drop, search and rescue, disaster relief, fire-fighting, and heavy construction support,” DSCA said in a statement

DSCA noted this would contribute to the national security of the United States by assisting a major political and economic power in Europe and NATO ally develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability.

Implementation of the FMS would not require the assignment of additional U.S. government or contractor representatives to the Netherlands.