Boeing has delivered an upgraded CH-47 Chinook helicopter to the Spanish Army, to strengthen its heavy-lifting capabilities.

The Spanish Army received the aircraft at a ceremony held at the headquarters of the Spanish Army Airmobile Forces in Colmenar Viejo, Madrid.

The remanufactured CH-47 Chinook helicopter is the first of 17, from the Spanish Chinook fleet, that Boeing will modernise.

As part of this project, the existing CH-47D aircraft will be upgraded to the newer CH-47F model.

The CH-47F Chinook is equipped with a digital automatic flight control system, a common avionics architecture system, and advanced cargo handling.These features fulfil the Spanish Army’s operational capacity requirement while offering interoperability with allied nations.

Boeing Cargo Helicopters and Future Vertical Lift programs business development director Heather McBryan said: “We are pleased to celebrate this major milestone with the Spanish Army.

“The Chinook continues to exceed our customers’ expectations, and the F-model will provide Spain with an advanced and reliable aircraft from delivery through sustainment.”

The CH-47F model is currently the choice of several other European countries that are seeking to modernise their heavy-lifting capabilities.

In December 2021, the Royal Netherlands Air Force retired its final CH-47D Chinook variant and replaced it with the latest F-model.

The UK also reached a £1.4bn deal to upgrade its H-47 Chinook fleet with the new H-47(ER) aircraft.

A total of over 950 Chinook helicopters are currently being used by 20 foreign operators, including eight Nato nations.

In October last year, Boeing and the US Army signed a contract for the manufacture and delivery of the first CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters.

Source: https://www.army-technology.com/news/boeing-spain-army-chinook/