Mon, Mar 29, 2010
DMO To Acquire 7 Chinooks
Australia's Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and
Science Greg Combet announced Monday the Defence Materiel
Organization (DMO) has signed a contract with the US Army Security
Assistance Command to acquire seven CH-47F Chinook helicopters, two
simulators and associated spares.
"The aircraft will replace the existing fleet of six CH-47D
Chinooks operated by C Squadron of the 5th Aviation Regiment based
in Townsville, and the first two aircraft are planned to enter
service in 2014, with all seven in service by 2017," Combet
said.
The CH-47D fleet provides support to the ADF, particularly in
Afghanistan, and this acquisition of seven new CH-47F Chinook
helicopters by the Australian Government will strengthen our
ability to support our soldiers in the future. The CH-47Fs being
purchased for the Australian Defence Force are planned to
incorporate some minor Australian specific mission equipment
enhancements including crashworthy crew and passenger seating,
fitment of Miniguns, and underfloor ballistic protection.
"However, the primary aircraft elements will remain consistent
with the US Army fleet so we can leverage the benefits of their
large fleet for engineering and other support," Combet said.
The contract to procure the aircraft through the US Government's
Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program was signed at a ceremony at
the Australian Embassy in Washington on Friday 19 March. It follows
Government approval of Project AIR 9000 Phase 5C announced by the
Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, on 25 February
2010.
"Australian industry will have the opportunity to incorporate
the Australian specific enhancements and to support the new
helicopters as part of through-life support arrangements," Combet
said.
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