U.K. reaches $2 billion deal to upgrade Chinook fleet


RAF Chinooks during Exercise Decisive Manoeuvre in 2019. U.K. Ministry of Defence Photo

The U.K. has reached a deal worth nearly $2 billion to upgrade 14 of the Royal Air Force’s H-47 Chinook helicopters with a beefed-up airframe and modern avionics over the next decade.

Announced May 13, the £1.4 billion ($1.96 billion) order is part of a larger £85 billion ($119 billion) investment on military equipment over the next four years to reform and renew the U.K. armed forces.

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All 14 aircraft will be purchased from the U.S. through the foreign military sales (FMS) program and includes development and manufacture over the next decade. 

The U.S. State Department in October 2018 approved an FMS agreement with the U.K. for 16 H-47 Chinook (Extended Range) helicopters for an estimated cost of $3.5 billion. The U.K. has the option to purchase up to that number, 36 engines and other associated weapons and equipment.

“The proposed sale will enhance U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by enhancing the United Kingdom’s capabilities to provide national defense and contribute to NATO and coalition operations,” the 2018 Defense Security Cooperation Agency announcement read. “The proposed sale will improve the United Kingdom’s ability to meet current and future threats by providing a heavy lift rotary wing capability able to execute missions in extreme environments across a full range of military operations.”

The new H-47(ER) aircraft will be outfitted with an advanced digital cockpit, modernized airframe to increase stability and improve survivability and a digital automatic flight control system that will allow pilots to hover in areas of limited visibility, according to the U.K. Ministry of Defence. 

“From assisting emergency repairs to U.K. flood defenses, providing vital logistics support during Covid-19 to its warfighting role on Afghan battlefields, the Chinook has been the workhorse of the Armed Forces for over 40 years,” U.K. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said in a statement. “The cutting-edge H-47 (ER) will be at the forefront of our specialist requirements in dealing with threats and logistic support. Our £1.4 billion investment will mean we will be one of very few air forces with this capability.” 

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RAF Odiham CH-47 Chinook Helicopters from 18 and 27 Sqn flying in formation heading to Sennybridge Training Area as part of Exercise Black Marauder. U.K. Ministry of Defence Photo

Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2026. The new helicopters will be based at RAF Odiham, the home of the U.K. Chinook fleet.

“Proven on both U.K. and overseas operations time and again over the last 40 years, the Chinook continues to be a critical capability for U.K. defense,” said Air Vice Marshal Nigel Colman, commander of Joint Helicopter Command. “This announcement assures Chinook operations for the decades ahead and is representative of our commitment to modernize capabilities whilst maintaining interoperability with key allies.”

Chinooks have been flying with the U.K. armed forces for 40 years, a milestone recently celebrated with a commemorative pint scheme. The oldest helicopters in the fleet will be retired, enabling investment in the new aircraft to modernize the UK heavy lift capability, the Ministry of Defence said.

  
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