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Germany has contracted Boeing to deliver a next-generation fleet of heavy-lift helicopters.
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The German Ministry of Defence has placed an order for 60 Boeing CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters to replace its Lockheed Martin-built CH-53 Sea Stallion fleet.
The deal is reportedly valued at €4 billion (AU$6 billion), with delivery expected to take place from 2023 to 2029.
“With this model we are strengthening our ability to cooperate in Europe,” German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht said in an address to the Bundestag lower house of parliament.
Boeing is set to work alongside AERO-Bildung, Airbus Helicopters, CAE, ESG, Honeywell, Lufthansa Technik and Rolls-Royce Deutschland to deliver the platforms.
The company issued a statement welcoming the order.
“Boeing is honoured the German government has selected the CH-47F Chinook for its STH heavy-lift helicopter requirements,” the statement read.
“With the Chinook, Germany will operate the most affordable, proven and NATO interoperable heavy-lift helicopter.
“We look forward to working with the US and German governments to finalize this sale under the Foreign Military Sales process.”
The Chinook is billed as an advanced multi-mission helicopter, which leverages a fully integrated, digital cockpit management system, Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) Cockpit and advanced cargo-handling capabilities.
The twin-engine platform has a top speed of 170 knots (315 kilometres per hour).
The Chinook is primarily deployed for troop movement, artillery emplacement and battlefield resupply.
Last year, the Australian Army bolstered its own fleet of CH-47F Chinook helicopters to 12, with Boeing delivering two of four additional aircraft, purchased via a foreign military sales agreement for approximately $595 million.
The third and fourth CH-47F Chinook helicopters are scheduled to be delivered later this year.
