Boeing CH-47D Chinooks For Indian Air Force

30/10/2012 by Paul Fiddian - Armed Forces International's Lead Reporter

The Indian Air Force is getting 15 CH-47D Chinooks after US manufacturer Boeing emerged the winner of the air arm's new heavylift helicopter contract.

Pitched against the Russian-built Mil Mi-26, the Boeing CH-47D ultimately offered better value for money and, since it also matched the contract's requirements in every way, was chosen ahead of its rival in line with standard Indian defence acquisition procedures.

The factors taken into account included not only the cost of purchasing the helicopters, but forecast maintenance costs for the next three decades, too, Indian defence officials explained. Both helicopters were also put through extensive flight trials prior to the final outcome.

Indian Air Force Chinooks

In Indian Air Force service, these Boeing Chinooks will be tasked with transporting equipment into areas located in mountainous terrain.

This is the second major Indian Air Force helicopter contract to have been awarded to Boeing in recent weeks. Barely one month ago, the air arm also announced it was acquiring AH-64D Block III Apache helicopter gunships. In fact, Boeing's secured the majority of the defence contracts India's awarded to US-based military manufacturers of late, with its C-17 Globemaster III transporters and its P-8I Poseidon maritime surveillance platforms both set to enter Indian Air Force service from 2013 onwards.

Boeing CH-47D Chinook

The Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopter is a mid-series variant of a design that first flew in 1961. Introduced in 1979, it's since become a specialised M198 Howitzer transport platform, carrying it in an internal cabin with the capacity to accommodate 28,000 pounds of cargo or up to 55 troops.

Powered a pair of Lycoming turboshaft engines, the CH-47D's got a maximum speed of 196 miles per hour, a cruise speed of 149 miles per hour and a maximum range of 450 miles. GPS-equipped, it's armed with a maximum of three machine guns and it's used by a host of military operators, although primarily the US Army.