Egypt Unveils First Advanced CH-47F Chinook Helicopter in $426 Million Deal

Egypt's military has taken a major step in modernizing its heavy-lift air fleet with the delivery of its first CH-47F Chinook helicopter. The aircraft, valued at $426 million as part of a contract with Boeing, is the first of 12 planned deliveries under an agreement signed by the U.S. Army in January 2023. This marks a significant upgrade from the older CH-47D transports currently in use.

The new helicopters will greatly expand Egypt's airlift capacity, allowing for the transport of artillery, armored vehicles, and dozens of soldiers. They can also support missions such as medevac, search-and-rescue, special-operations insertion, and disaster relief. The CH-47F model boasts advanced systems, including a fully integrated digital cockpit management system and modernized cargo-handling equipment.

The delivery was marked with an inauguration flight at the El Alamein International Airshow, where Boeing exhibited the new Chinook alongside other rotorcraft. Egypt's air force has flown Chinooks for decades, with the first CH-47D arriving in 1999. The new helicopters are expected to gradually replace the older models as they reach retirement age.