SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Boeing is strongly pushing to sell additional CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift transport helicopters to the Indian Air Force (IAF). This comes after the successful delivery of 15 Chinooks in 2020 through a $3 billion deal under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program.
The American aerospace giant is proposing its latest Block II configuration Chinooks to the IAF. The Block II upgrade offers a significant boost in capability, with an additional 4,000 pounds of maximum gross weight and an extended mission radius for most payloads. This translates to increased capacity for transporting troops, equipment, and supplies over longer distances.
Beyond the immediate performance improvements, the Block II design is built with future upgrades in mind, ensuring the continued relevance of the platform for the IAF. Additionally, the program boasts improvements in aircraft maintainability. The upgraded rotor system enhances reliability, minimizing unscheduled maintenance needs. A simplified fuel system further contributes to sustainment efficiency by reducing overall maintenance burden and costs.
This sales push comes amidst reports that the IAF was previously considering the procurement of seven more CH-47F helicopters. Boeing’s Block II offering could be an attractive option for the IAF, addressing their existing needs while providing a future-proof platform for their heavy-lift helicopter fleet.
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