The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has begun taking delivery of the CH-47F heavy-lift helicopters it ordered in November 2016, with the first example already being deployed at its training detachment in Australia.
“The initial delivery of the CH-47F to the RSAF Helicopter Detachment in Oakey, Australia, will enable the RSAF to leverage the vast airspace and terrain for more realistic training,” said the service on 26 May via its Facebook account.
The RSAF has begun taking delivery of the CH-47F heavy-lift helicopters ordered in November 2016, with the first example being deployed at its training detachment in Australia. (Republic of Singapore Air Force)
The RSAF described the new Chinooks as advanced helicopters with “a fully integrated, digital cockpit management system, and advanced cargo-handling capabilities”. These features, coupled with capabilities such as an enhanced self-protection suite and a satellite communication (satcom) system, will enable it to better meet the lift requirements of the Singapore Armed Forces, it added.
Singapore ordered an undisclosed number of CH-47Fs and Airbus Helicopters H225M medium-lift rotorcraft in 2016 as part of an RSAF modernisation programme, with the new platforms meant to replace the service's ageing fleet of AS332M Super Pumas and CH-47Ds, which have been in service since 1983 and 1994 respectively. Airbus announced the delivery of the first H225M to the RSAF on 29 March.
“The H225M and CH-47F possess better lift and reach capabilities and will enable the RSAF to meet the Singapore Armed Forces' lift requirements more efficiently with fewer helicopters and less manpower,” said Singapore's Ministry of Defence in 2016.
Besides military lift duties, both helicopter types are set to be deployed for search-and-rescue (SAR), aeromedical evacuation, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions.
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