A CH-47F Chinook destined for the Australian Army is unloaded from a USAF C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft at RAAF Base Townsville on 23 June 2022. (Australia Department of Defence/Corporal Lisa Sherman)
The Australian Army has taken delivery of the last two of four new CH-47F Chinook transport helicopters ordered by the government in 2021. This takes the army's Chinook fleet to 14.
In a press statement, Boeing Australia said that the two helicopters arrived at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Townsville on 23 June. The company added that the helicopters were delivered by a US Air Force (USAF) C-5 Galaxy aircraft.
The aircraft will join the Australian Army Aviation Command's fleet of 12 Chinooks, which are operated by C Squadron, 5th Aviation Regiment.
The commanding officer of the 5th Aviation Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Christopher McDougall, said that the “additional helicopters will provide defence with additional lift capacity and strengthen the army's ability to support operations globally”.
The previous two aircraft arrived in Australia a year earlier on 23 June 2021, according to Boeing. The acquisition of the four helicopters is valued at AUD595 million (USD410.2 million).
Major General Stephen Jobson, commander of Army Aviation Command, said that the new arrivals will strengthen the “critical lift capability” of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). “Army Aviation Command is postured to oversee the introduction of new aviation capabilities and upgrades to our current capabilities, and this delivery reinforces that preparedness,” he said.
Boeing said that it will continue partnering with the Australian Army and Australian industry on the “CH-47F Integrated Support Services (CISS) contract, delivering local engineering, maintenance, training, and supply chain support to keep the Chinooks mission-ready”.
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