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CH-47F Chinook - German Luftwaffe

Germany's armed forces are to receive a new fleet of heavy-duty transport helicopters. The Bundestag's Defense and Budget Committees approved the purchase 05 July 2023 of 60 CH-47F Chinook heavy transport helicopters. A majority of the specialist politicians in the committees voted for procurement. The helicopters are to become the “workhorse” in the Bundeswehr for the rapid air transport of vehicles, material and soldiers. The CH in the model designation stands for »cargo helicopter«. They can load more than ten tons and have two counter-rotating rotors. The transport helicopters are important for national and alliance defense, but also for missions abroad. The first helicopters are scheduled to be delivered in 2027 and will then replace the aging fleet of transport helicopters with CH-53s.

According to the draft decision, the total financial requirement for the project is around 7.2 billion euros. There are also almost 750 million euros to adapt the infrastructure for operating the helicopters. Originally, around six billion euros had been estimated for the procurement. They are manufactured by the US aircraft manufacturer Boeing and are to be largely financed from the debt-financed special fund of over 100 billion euros for the German armed forces. It was decided in 2022 in response to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. There are also almost 750 million euros to adapt the infrastructure for operating the helicopters. The first of them should be delivered in 2027.

The German Government announced 01 June 2022 that Boeing’s CH-47F Chinook has been selected for its heavy-lift helicopter requirements (STH) for the German Bundeswehr. “Boeing is honored the German government has selected the CH-47F Chinook for its STH heavy-lift helicopter requirements. With the Chinook, Germany will operate the most affordable, proven and NATO interoperable heavy-lift helicopter. We look forward to working with the U.S. and German governments to finalize this sale under the Foreign Military Sales process. Together with our Chinook Deutschland Team --- AERO-Bildung, Airbus Helicopters, CAE, ESG, Honeywell, Lufthansa Technik and Rolls-Royce Deutschland --- we are committed to delivering maximum operational availability to the German Bundeswehr for decades to come.”

Boeing and Airbus Helicopters signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 25 March 2022 to partner on the H-47 Chinook in support of Germany’s Schwerer Transporthubschrauber (STH) heavy-lift helicopter requirements. “We are pleased that Airbus Helicopters has joined our team of strategic partners on the H-47 Chinook program for Germany, and together we will provide the strongest offering to the Bundeswehr,” said Mark Cherry, Boeing vice president and general manager, Vertical Lift programs. “The Chinook has been the preferred heavy-lift helicopter in Europe for decades and a cornerstone of all kinds of NATO operations. It is the only heavy-lift capable of providing Germany immediate interoperability with allied nations and is significantly more powerful, versatile and agile than any other aircraft in its class.”

The new partnership between Boeing and Airbus aims at bolstering German defense readiness while supporting German industry and economic growth. The partnership will draw on the strengths and combined expertise of the world’s leading aerospace companies to deliver advanced capability, readiness and innovative solutions as part of the German Chinook industry offering.

“Building on decades of experience as a partner of the Bundeswehr, Airbus Helicopters is excited to join Boeing’s Chinook Germany industry team and to partner with Boeing on delivering maximum operational availability to the Bundeswehr,” said Wolfgang Schoder, General Manager of Airbus Helicopters in Germany. “The H-47 Chinook is a proven, mature program in service with many of our allies, and is the optimum solution for Germany with an excellent price-performance ratio.”

The partnership agreement builds on the existing Chinook partnership team consisting of AERO-Bildung GmbH, CAE Elektronik GmbH, ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH, Lufthansa Technik, Honeywell Aerospace and Rolls-Royce Deutschland. Boeing is committed to working with German industry on aircraft sustainment, including post-delivery modifications and installations, aircraft maintenance, supply chain services, training and logistical support, as well as the potential for sub-systems Maintenance Repair and Overhaul work.

“The partnership with Airbus Helicopters reaffirms our commitment to strengthen cooperation with German industry,” said Dr. Michael Haidinger, president, Boeing Germany. “With our Chinook offering and together with our German industry partners, we will create more than 500 highly skilled jobs in-country, all in direct support of the Bundeswehr’s heavy-lift mission requirements.”

As chosen by eight NATO nations – Netherlands, Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, Canada and the United States of America – the Chinook has proven its unique capabilities and mission readiness in several theatres and has delivered on many other mission requirements, including Air-to-Air refueling, Medevac, troop transport, search and rescue and humanitarian and disaster relief, and special operations. Chinook Air-to-Air refueling operations have spanned the globe and the number of tanker hook ups, behind a variety of tanker aircraft is estimated to be in the 10.000’s.

The US State Department made a determination 11 May 2023 approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Germany of CH-47F Chinook Helicopters, and related equipment for an estimated cost of $8.5 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.

The Government of Germany requested to buy sixty (60) CH-47F Block II Cargo Helicopters with customer-unique modifications; one hundred forty (140) T-55-GA-714A engines (120 installed, 20 spares); seventy-two (72) AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) (60 installed, 12 spares); and two hundred eighty-four (284) AN/ARC-231A Communications Security (COMSEC) radios (240 installed, 44 spares). Also included are AN/AVR-2B Laser Detecting Sets; AN/APR-39C(V)1 Radar Detecting Sets; AN/ARC-220 High Frequency (HF) radios with electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM); military Precise Positioning Service (PPS) (to include SAASM or M-Code); Digital Advanced Flight Control Systems (DAFCS); AN/APX-123A Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponder; AN/ARN-147 very high frequency (VHS) omnidirectional range and instrument landing system (VOR/ILS); AN/ARN-153 Tactical Air Navigation Systems (TACAN); air data computers; AN/APN-209 radar altimeter systems; AN/PYQ-10 simple key loaders; KIV-77 Mode 4/5 IFF Applique; KY-100M narrowband/wideband terminal COMSEC devices; AN/AVS-6 Night Vision Devices (NVD); and IDM-401 Improved Data Modem.

Other equipment included air-to-air refueling probes; M134 gun mounts; Infrared Suppression System (IRSS); Engine Air Particle Separator (EAPS); Ballistic Protection System (BPS) with Cockpit; cabin sides; Midas Underfloor COOLS; Extended Range Fuel System (ERFS) 800 gal and 500 gal; Forward Area Refueling Equipment (FARE); Tie Down Materiel/Helicopter Under-Slung Load Equipment (HUSLE) for internal and external loads; rotorbrake; rescue hoists; Fast Rope Insertion/Extraction System (FRIES); Electro Optical Infrared Sensors (EO/IR); crash resistant pilot and troop seats; skis; life rafts; litter straps and fittings; mission equipment (e.g., jungle penetrator; litter basket; Jacob's ladder; Airborne Tactical Extraction Platform (AirTEP); special tools and test equipment; ground support equipment; airframe and engine spare parts; technical data; publications; Maintenance Work Orders/Engineering Change Proposals (MWO/ECPs); Repair and Return (R&R); technical assistance; airworthiness assistance; transportation of aircraft; training; flight training and maintenance trainers; and other related elements of logistics and program support.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally which is an important force for political and economic stability in Europe. The proposed sale will improve Germany's heavy lift capability. Germany intends to use this enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats. Germany will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and services into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Boeing Helicopter Company, Philadelphia, PA. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will require the temporary deployment of an estimated thirty (30) contractor representatives to Germany's Main Operating Bases (MOBs) for onsite aircraft technical, maintenance, and logistics support as part of a Performance Based Logistics (PBL) program; training support; and operator and maintenance support for the Transportable Flight Proficiency Simulators (TFPS). This support will be provided for three to five years. The temporary deployment of contractor representatives will include five (5) Field Service Representatives (FSRs), four (4) from Boeing and one (1) from Rockwell Collins. This proposed sale will also require Foreign Liaison Officers be located at Redstone Arsenal and at the Boeing facility.