Egypt Takes Delivery of First Five Boeing CH-47F Chinook Helicopters

The Egyptian Air Force has taken delivery of its first five Boeing CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, marking a major milestone in the country's efforts to modernize its military capabilities. The handover ceremony took place at the El Alamein International Airshow on Egypt's Mediterranean coast, where Boeing displayed the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter and the KC-46A Pegasus tanker alongside the Chinook.

The CH-47F helicopters are part of a $426 million foreign military sale awarded to Boeing in January 2023 to supply Cairo with 12 new-generation transport helicopters. The remaining seven airframes are currently in the delivery queue under the contract schedule running through 2026.

The F-model aircraft brings significant upgrades over its predecessor, including a digital cockpit and a strengthened rotor hub. It can carry up to 24,000 pounds internally or 26,000 pounds on an external sling load, making it suitable for a range of missions, from troop transport to medical evacuation.