Rotorhub
Boeing looks to Chinook for Africa market entry
Boeing is making strides to enter the developing African defence market with its first major presence at Africa Aerospace and Defence. One of the corner stones of its market entry strategy according to Jeff Johnson, Vice President – Middle East & Africa International Business Development, is to offer the CH-47 Chinook in to the region.
Johnson told Rotorhub.com that Boeing believes that within the sub-Saharan market there is the potential to offer the helicopter to meet some of the heavy-lift requirements in the region. He said that Chinook had proven invaluable because the helicopter’s tandem rotor configuration provides large useful loads of food, water and medical supplies in high/hot environments. In briefing the press at the show, Johnson focused on both the military and humanitarian aspects of the aircraft.
The company has already had initial discussions with South Africa about a potential sale although Johnson said that the discussions were at a very early stage. The company is also keeping an eye on developments at the African Union in case a requirement should arise.
Johnson said that potential customers would have several options if they were to purchase Chinook. With the line still open and producing F models for the US Army and others Johnson said that customers could purchase the new aircraft at a probable unit cost of between $30 million and $40 million.
The other main alternative, according to Johnson, would be to take up surplus CH-47D models as the US Army recapitalises with the CH-47F. According to Boeing this would have the advantage of halving the initial procurement costs while leaving the option open for later upgrade to the Ch-47F standard.
By Darren Lake, Cape Town
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