Australia receives final CH-47F Chinooks
An earlier example of the Australian Army’s CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopter fleet, which now constitutes 14 aircraft. (Gordon Arthur)
Australia’s final two Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters arrived at RAAF Base Townsville aboard an American C-5M Super Galaxy transport aircraft on 23 June.
With all operated by C Squadron of the 5th Aviation Regiment, 16th Aviation Brigade, the Australian Army now possesses a fleet of 14 CH-47F Chinooks. The newest arrivals join a pair delivered on 8 July last year.
This completes an A$595 million ($444 million) order for four Chinooks that Australia logged through the Foreign Military Sales channel, and which was announced by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency in late April 2021.
Newly installed Minister for Defence Industry Pat
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
Leonardo plans to fly uncrewed fighters alongside M-346 aircraft by mid-2026
The two uncrewed fighter aircraft will be made in conjunction with Baykar, which joined forces with Leonardo under LBA Systems in June 2025 to develop and produce uncrewed aerial systems for the international market.
-
UK firm Skycutter comes out top in first US Drone Dominance Program competition
The startup was the only UK company to take part in the first Gauntlet for the programme, joining forces with its Ukraine partner to participate in the event.
-
US plans to raise defence production by 300% but multiple uncertainties remain
The strategy, schedule and budget to support Washington’s intention to speed up the manufacturing of defence capabilities remain unclear.
-
Switzerland faces procurement shake-up with reduced F-35 buy and five-year Patriot delays
The reduction in the number of planned F-35A aircraft from 36 to 30 by the Swiss government comes due to budget constraints, with no firm plans to fill the gap despite “negative consequences”.