Australia has signed an approximately $467.6 million contract with the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command to acquire seven CH-47F Chinook helicopters, two simulators and associated spares.
Boeing [BA] produces the helicopters.
The Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science Greg Combet this week announced the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) signed the contract.
“The aircraft will replace the existing fleet of six CH-47D Chinooks operated by C Squadron of the 5th Aviation Regiment based in Townsville, and the first two aircraft are planned to enter service in 2014, with all seven in service by 2017,” Combet said. “The CH-47D fleet is providing outstanding support to the ADF, particularly in Afghanistan, and this acquisition of seven new CH-47F Chinook helicopters by the Australian government will strengthen our ability to support our soldiers in the future.
The Chinooks will have some Australian-specific mission equipment including crashworthy crew and passenger seating, miniguns and underfloor ballistic protection, he said. Australian industry will have the opportunity to work on the integration of the national-specific equipment and to participate in supporting the new helicopters as part of through-life support.
“However, the primary aircraft elements will remain consistent with the U.S. Army fleet so we can leverage the benefits of their large fleet for engineering and other support,” he said.
The contract to procure the aircraft through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program was signed at a ceremony at the Australian Embassy in Washington on March 19. That followed Government approval of Project AIR 9000 Phase 5C announced by the Minister for Defence Feb. 25.