By Sabine Pirone and Kitty Donaldson
Dec. 15 (Bloomberg) -- The U.K. plans to buy 22 Boeing Co. Chinook helicopters to build out fleets operating in Afghanistan.
The order for CH-47 Chinooks is part of the government’s “Future Helicopter Strategy.” The new copters will start to come off the production line in 2012 and be completed in 2013, the U.K. Ministry of Defence said in an e-mailed statement today.
The British government has faced criticism for a lack of helicopter power in Afghanistan, and additions to the fleet will enable more soldiers to move around the Helmand province beyond the reach of roadside bombs.
“Our forces on the frontline in Afghanistan repeatedly tell me that Chinook are indispensable on operations,” said Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth. “I am therefore delighted to announce plans to deliver more of these robust, effective and proven battle-winning helicopters.”
The CH-47 helicopters can transport up to 55 troops. The Chinook, designed in the early 1960s, has seen operation in Vietnam, the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan.
With the latest purchase, the U.K.’s Chinook fleet will increase to 70 from 48. At present, the U.K. has 38 Chinook helicopters, of which some operate in Helmand, with the remaining being used at the Royal Air Force Odiham base in Hampshire for training and in the Falklands.
The U.K. order is the latest in a line of export contracts. Turkey and the United Arab Emirates are seeking to buy 30 Chinooks valued at a combined $3.2 billion, according to a Dec. 10 Pentagon report. Boeing also got a $1.15 billion order from the Canadian government for 15 CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters.
To contact the reporter on this story: Sabine Pirone in London at spirone@bloomberg.net
Source:bloomberg.com/
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