[electronic translation] Defence bought 14 new Chinook transport helicopters and six modernize existing equipment. The number of Chinooks thus goes from 17 to 20. This was announced by Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert today in a letter to the Lower House.

Defence now has 11 Chinooks of the type CH-47D, and 6 of the type CH-47F (NL).The D-versions are replaced by 14 Chinooks of the type CH47-F MYIICAAS.They will be delivered from 2019. The implementation of the 14 equals the Chinooks from the US military.

Operational requirements

The ‘US Army variant of the Chinook complies with some adjustments to the Dutch operating requirements. These modifications are carried out after production in the United States. It involves, among other crash-resistant seats in the cockpit and a VHF Combat Net Radio for secure communication with Dutch units. Any other adjustments to be evaluated.

Dutch Air Force personnel receive in the United States an additional training to use the new Chinooks and maintain.

Cost

To take advantage of economies of scale expected Defence appearance in December 2015 to accept the agreement provided by the US government. Which the Dutch order places than in a larger production at Boeing. With the purchase is approximately € 838 million involved, it is within the budget of more than € 915 million.

This does not take into account any sales proceeds from the 11 old machines. Defense aims, in cooperation with Boeing, to reuse as many elements of the current D models to cut costs.