Australia receives latest pair of new Chinooks
An Australian Army CH-47F Chinook is disgorged from a USAF transport aircraft in Townsville. (ADF)
Australia has a quartet of CH-47F Chinooks on order, and the first pair has just flown in from the US.
Two additional CH-47F Chinooks for the Australian Army arrived at Townsville aboard a USAF C-5M Super Galaxy transport aircraft on 8 July.
These helicopters represent half of a A$595 million ($444 million) order for four Chinooks that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) had logged through the Foreign Military Sales channel, and which was announced by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency in late April.
The C-5M had landed at RAAF Base Amberley the previous day before taking its rotary-winged cargo north to Townsville, where they will be integrated into the 5th Aviation Regiment.
Minister for Defence Peter Dutton said: ‘The additional
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![Attack drones versus CUAS – the future of warfare or just another trend?]()
Attack drones versus CUAS – the future of warfare or just another trend?
Demand signals for counter-drone technology are strong and the market is becoming crowded, but is this really the beginning of a new phase of warfare or will commentators be talking about something else 10 years from now?
-
![The 2020s: a decade of UAV spending growth]()
The 2020s: a decade of UAV spending growth
Total annual drone spending has increased nearly sixfold since the start of the decade, from $2.9 billion in 2020 to $16.3 billion in 2028, with Europe leading the rise.
-
![USAF opens B-52 upgrade to new companies as major programmes fall behind schedule]()
USAF opens B-52 upgrade to new companies as major programmes fall behind schedule
The US Air Force is seeking additional contractors to support communications upgrades for the B-52, while multiple Stratofortress modernisation programmes continue to experience delays, cost growth and technical challenges.
-
![July drone digest: Sovereign production takes centre stage at Farnborough]()
July drone digest: Sovereign production takes centre stage at Farnborough
Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) 2026 revealed the growing scale of the UK’s uncrewed ambitions, with companies showcasing new CCA, autonomous wingmen and surveillance drones, while sovereign production emerged as a key factor for multiple programmes.
-
![July air forces review: Farnborough steals the headlines as programmes develop]()
July air forces review: Farnborough steals the headlines as programmes develop
The biannual Farnborough International Airshow 2026 was the backdrop in July for scores of deals, partnerships and announcements, including developments in the multinational next-generation Global Combat Air Programme and the UK’s $486 million trainer aircraft requirement.
