Australia Buying 3 More F Model Chinooks

Australia has been given the green light from the American State Department to allow it to "possibly" buy three more F-model Chinook helicopters at a cost of about $180 million.  Australia already has seven F-models being phased into service that were delivered last year. The 10 strong fleet will substantially increase Army's heavy lift capability as the CH-47F aircraft replace the retiring CH-47D models.

Under complex US Foreign Military Sales requirements the notice of a "possible" sale is required by law but it doesn't mean the deal is done. 

Australia will be keen to build its heavy lift capability with the new aircraft, which include updated digital avionic systems that reduce maintenance and enhance digital interoperability in the high-tech battlespace. 

If the $180 million sale goes ahead it will include the three CH-47F aircraft, related equipment and support.

Australia's shopping lists includes:

Three CH-47F Chinook Helicopters
Six T55-GA-714A Aircraft Turbine Engines
Three Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade & Below (FBCB2)/Blue Force Tracker (BFT)
Three Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS)
Three Honeywell H-764 Embedded Global Positioning/Inertial Navigation Systems
Three Infrared Signature Suppression Systems

Australia also wants non-major defence equipments’ such as:
AN/APX-123A Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Transponders,
Defense Advanced Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver (DAGR),
AN/ARC-201D SINCGARS Airborne Radio Systems,
AN/ARC-220 High Frequency Airborne Communication Systems,
AN/ARC-231(V)(C) Airborne VHF/UHF/LOS SATCOM Communications Systems,
KY-100 Secure Communication Systems,
KIV-77 Common IFF Cryptographic Computers,
AN/AVS-6 Aviator’s Night Vision Systems,
AN/ARN-147 Very High Frequency (VHF) Omni Ranging/Instrument Landing System Receiver,
AN/PYQ-10(C) Simple Key Loaders,
AN/ARN-153 Tactical Airborne Navigation (TACAN) System,
spare parts, tools, ground support equipment, technical publications, plus contractor and US government technical services.

In a statement released by US officials announcing the first 'proposed' sale approvals, it was noted that Australia would have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces and that the proposed sale would not alter the basic military balance in the region, although the capability will enhance Australia's ability to strengthen its homeland defence and deter regional threats.