Boeing has handed over the 20th and final CH-47F Chinook advanced multi-mission helicopter to the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
The delivery is part of a contract signed by Boeing and the air force for 14 new CH-47F Chinooks through the US Department of Defense’s Foreign Military Sales program.
By 2017, the Dutch government ordered the upgrade of six remaining D-models to the newer F-model configuration to ensure similar capabilities among its 20-Chinook fleet.
The Netherlands is among eight NATO members that operate the CH-47s. The air force has continuously deployed the aircraft since receiving its first CH-47D units in 1995.
Modern Chinook Fleet
“Our continuing partnership with the Royal Netherlands Air Force exemplifies the value of a modern and versatile Chinook fleet,” Boeing H-47 Program Vice President and Manager Ken Eland said.
“These state-of-the art aircraft will significantly improve their defense and humanitarian assistance capabilities.”
The CH-47F Chinook comprises advanced cargo-handling capabilities, a digital automatic flight control system, and a fully-integrated digital cockpit management system with the Common Avionics Architecture System.
“This is a milestone for us. We have newer radios and newer equipment which help our pilots operate better in different environments than we do already,” said Wil van Rijn, Chinook Senior System Integrator at the Dutch Ministry of Defence.
Modernizing Dutch Apache Choppers
Boeing is currently engaged in a separate helicopter modernization agreement for the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
Under the $1.19 billion contract, the company will upgrade 28 AH-64D Apache attack helicopters to the advanced v6 or E configuration.
The air force received its first AH-64E this year. Work on the remaining D-models is expected to be completed by 2025.
