US State Department approves $8.5bn sale of 60 CH-47F Chinook helicopters to Germany

The US State Department has approved the potential sale of CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift military transport helicopters to Germany. The statement was published on the Defence and Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) website.

Here's What We Know

Germany wants to purchase 60 CH-47F Chinook Block II level helicopters. The potential deal is worth $8.5 billion. The contract, in addition to helicopters, calls for 140 T-55-GA-714A engines, missile warning systems, radios, navigation systems and related equipment.

The developer of the CH-47 Chinook is Vertol Aircraft and the manufacturer is Boeing. The helicopter entered service over 80 years ago. Since then it has received several modifications, including the CH-47F version.

Work on the upgrade to Block II began in 2017. The new version received more powerful generators, upgraded avionics and an improved fuel system. The latter item reduced weight by almost 100kg without reducing fuel volume.

The CH-47F Chinook is capable of speeds of up to 315km/h, with a maximum range of 740km. The helicopter has a take-off weight of almost 23,000 kg and can carry a maximum payload of around 11,000 kg. In Germany, the Chinook will replace the aging CH-53.

Source: DSCA