Boeing has completed the country’s final fleet upgrade by delivering the 20th CH-47F Chinook to the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

Ken Eland, Vice President and H-47 Program Manager said: “Our continued partnership with the Royal Netherlands Air Force demonstrates the value of a modern and versatile Chinook fleet. These state-of-the-art aircraft will significantly enhance defence and humanitarian capabilities.”

The Netherlands, one of eight NATO countries using Chinooks, received its first CH-47D model in 1995. At the same time, the Netherlands has been regularly fielding the aircraft since 1995.

In 2016, the RNLAF purchased 14 new CH-47F Chinooks through the US Department of Defence’s Foreign Military Sales program. In 2017, RNLAF signed another agreement to upgrade its remaining six D-model Chinook helicopters to the latest F-model configuration, providing systems partnership for its entire fleet of 20 aircraft.

“This is a milestone for us. We have newer radios and newer equipment to help our pilots work better in different environments,” said Lieutenant Colonel Wil van Rijn, Chinook Senior Systems Integrator at the Netherlands Ministry of Defence.

The CH-47F Chinook is designed as an advanced multi-mission helicopter incorporating a fully integrated, digital cockpit management system compatible with the Common Avionics Architecture System. Advanced cargo handling capabilities complement the aircraft’s mission performance and handling characteristics.