The US State Department approved on the 26th the sale of 23 CH-47F Chinook heavy transport helicopters to Egypt. Valued at US$2.6 billion, the deal must still be approved by Congress.
According to the publication of Security and Defense Cooperation Agency (DSCA). , Extended Range Fuel System (ERFS), as well as various other secure communication, navigation, and self-protection instruments.
“The proposed sale will improve Egypt's heavy lifting capacity. Egypt will use this enhanced capability to strengthen its national defense and thwart regional threats. Egypt will have no difficulty absorbing these equipment and services into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and will not alter the basic military balance of the region.”
According to the portal Flightglobal, citing data from Cirium, the Egyptian Air Force has 19 older CH-47D helicopters, aged between 22 and 41 years.
The Chinook entered service with the US Army in 1962, but Boeing-Vertol began development of the aircraft in the 1950s, when the US Army announced that it wanted to replace the CH-37 Mojave.
With more than 1200 units produced since then, the CH-47 has established itself as a reference in heavy transport of rotary wings, having participated in a series of conflicts around the world.
In 1982, during the Falklands/Malvinas War, both Argentina and the United Kingdom used the model. The aircraft is also heavily used in humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations.
The Chinook has a pair of Lycoming T55 turboshaft engines, is operated by three to five crew and is capable of carrying 24 tonnes of cargo.
It is important to note that these specifications vary between helicopter versions: the Chinook Block II, for example, can carry 907 kilograms more than the CH-47F, having been acquired by England for US$ 578 million. Finally, the CH-47 is operated by more than 20 countries, including Spain, the United States, South Korea, Japan, Canada, India, Greece and others.
