The German parliament has approved the acquisition of 60 CH-47 Chinook helicopters, 3,000 airborne vehicles, and three Class-424 fleet service boats for the country’s armed forces.
As discussed during a budget committee hearing last week, the German military will receive the Block II Standard Range variant of the US-made heavy lift choppers.
It was emphasized that the aircraft will have an aerial refueling capability to extend their range and stay in the air for longer periods.
Germany will spend 6.27 billion euros ($6.9 billion) for the helicopters alone, while more than 700 million euros ($768 million) will be earmarked for service-related expenses.
“With the procurement of 60 heavy transport helicopters for 7.2 billion euros ($7.9 billion), we are launching one of the most important procurement projects of the Bundeswehr special fund,” committee member Sebastian Schaefer told Reuters.
The Chinooks, which will replace Berlin’s existing CH-53G fleet, are expected to arrive beginning in 2027.
Electronic Reconnaissance at Sea
At the same meeting, the budget committee approved the acquisition of three Class-424 service boats and the construction of a training and reference facility for reconnaissance.
The contract is estimated to reach 3.26 billion euros ($3.6 billion).
The vessels are expected to support national crisis prevention, early crisis detection, and supplying the German military with basic reconnaissance.
Meanwhile, the facility will help maintain sea-based signal acquisition reconnaissance without interruption.
The new boats are to replace Germany’s previous class-423 fleet and will be delivered between 2029 and 2031.
Airborne Vehicles Procurement
The German parliament has allocated funds for 3,058 highly-mobile, all-terrain, all-wheel-drive airborne vehicles.
According to the German armed forces, the vehicles will be used to transport soldiers, equipment, armament, ammunition, and other military supplies.
They are also expected to make the airborne forces on the ground more mobile.