After the announcement by Germany to purchase 60 military CH-47F Chinook heavy transport helicopters, the go-ahead from the US State Department arrived in the last few hours. The sale has an estimated value of 8.5 billion dollars, including related equipment and related services. Negotiations between the two governments will continue until the signing of the contract. Deliveries are expected in three years. 

The order from Berlin aims to modernize the helicopter fleet of its armed forces: the new Boeing CH-47F Chinooks will in fact replace the old Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion transport aircraft, whose production dates back to the period 1964-1978. 

The Pentagon has reported that the agreement between Berlin and Washington will include 140 engines (of which 20 are spares), devices for anti-missile systems, radios, transponders and navigation systems, as well as technical support and updates. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency of the US Department of Defense notified the US Congress of this proposed sale yesterday.

On the same topic see also the article published by AVIONEWS.