Boeing will supply twelve CH-47F Chinook heavylift helicopters to the Egyptian Air Force in a $426 million contract awarded by the U.S. Army.
The U.S. State Department approved the foreign military sale on May 26 last year for Egypt to buy 23 “F” models and related equipment for $2.6 billion. Deliveries is slated to begin in 2026.
Also, Egypt has the option to purchase 11 more helicopters says Boeing.
Egypt will replace its older fleet of CH-47D aircraft with the modern F model, and benefit from its advanced multi-mission capabilities, to “enhance Egypt’s Chinook capabilities and help effectively accomplish its heavy-lift objectives,” Ken Eland, vice president and H-47 program manager at Boeing, said in a statement.
“Boeing’s partnership with the Egyptian Air Force remains strong as we continue to work together to modernize their fleet.”
“Boeing is committed to supporting the defense modernization mission of the Egyptian armed forces and ensuring the best capability for Egypt’s national defense and security,” added Vince Logsdon, vice president, of Boeing International Business Development.
Chinooks have served with various militaries for more than 50 years, the CH-47s have been upgraded over the years and are expected to remain in service with the Army through the 2060s. Since first seeing combat in Vietnam in 1965, the Chinook has gained a reputation as a tough helicopter.
The CH-47F is an advanced multi-mission helicopter for the U.S. Army and international defense forces. It contains a fully integrated, digital cockpit management system, Common Avionics Architecture System cockpit, and advanced cargo-handling capabilities complementing the aircraft’s mission performance and handling characteristics.
The aircraft type features a digital cockpit management system, a Common Avionics Architecture System cockpit and advanced cargo-handling capabilities, Boeing said in the statement.
In addition to the helicopters themselves, Egypt aims to acquire 56 T-55-GA-714A turboshaft engines from Honeywell; 52 inertial navigation systems with embedded GPS; 75 7.62mm M240 machine guns made by FN Herstal; and extended-range fuel systems.
The Egyptian Armed Forces have in their inventory a large number of assault and transport helicopters of all types, including 19 CH-47D Chinook and several dozen medium helicopters of Russian/Soviet and European origin.
Boeing has already supplied the Egyptian Air Force with the AH-64D Apache Longbow and it is set to upgrade 25 of these aircraft to the AH-64E Apache Guardian standard.