US approves South Korea Chinook purchase
The US State Department has approved the potential sale of 18 CH-47F Chinooks worth US$1.5 billion to the South Korean military
The approval was announced on the 6 December, and follows South Korea’s approval of plans to modernize its in-service Chinook fleet on 15 July. Manufacturer Boeing would deliver any potential contract that was awarded following the approval.
The sale would include related equipment and spare components, including six spare T55-GA-714A engines.
The proposed sale also includes 22 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS), of which, four will be used as spares, as well as 44 secure radios and 36 Raytheon RT-1987 airborne communication systems, according to a report by Janes.
The Boeing CH-47F Chinook has a cruise speed of 291km/h with a range of 370.4km. It has a useful load of 10,886kg and a 3,914-liter fuel capacity.
The South Korean CH-47Fs will also be equipped with AN/APR-39 Radar Warning Systems, AN/ARC-220 HF Airborne Communication Systems, and AN/APX-123A Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders.
The CH-47 remains a popular choice worldwide for airborne military transport. Germany also announced plans to purchase 60 CH-47 Chinooks from Boeing to replace its military’s ageing CH-53 fleet earlier this year. The company also in the process of delivering 14 Chinooks to the UK’s Royal Air Force (RAF) through a contract awarded in June 2021.