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.
More from Air Warfare
-
![With a wave of upgrades, the MQ-9B is ready for high-tech warfare]()
With a wave of upgrades, the MQ-9B is ready for high-tech warfare
The modern battlefield is evolving rapidly — threats range from stealthy cruise missiles to coordinated drone swarms. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is meeting these challenges head-on with a series of transformative upgrades to its MQ-9B SkyGuardian® and maritime SeaGuardian® remotely piloted aircraft.
-
![June drone digest: Landmark CCA contract and deep-strike capability flourishes at Eurosatory]()
June drone digest: Landmark CCA contract and deep-strike capability flourishes at Eurosatory
June 2026 saw the landmark acquisition of the first fighter-type Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), while the month also hosted Eurosatory, which showcased deep-strike capabilities and production deals with the civilian industry.
-
![BAE Systems' UK Combat Air Demonstrator closes in on final assembly]()
BAE Systems' UK Combat Air Demonstrator closes in on final assembly
The first render for the demonstrator was unveiled in July 2025, with BAE Systems now aiming for the start of final assembly by the end of 2026 to prepare the aircraft for first flight by 2027.
-
![Rapid APKWS integration sparks “strong” demand from Typhoon customers]()
Rapid APKWS integration sparks “strong” demand from Typhoon customers
The recent operational use and success of the APKWS laser-guidance kit on the UK RAF's Typhoons has driven demand from other Eurofighter customers for integration of the system on their own combat aircraft fleet, according to BAE Systems.
