Boeing would have been the winner of the STH (Schwerer Transporthubschrauber or Heavy Transport Helicopter in German) competition, which aims to supply 60 CH-47F Chinook heavy helicopters to Germany’s armed forces, according to Bild am Sontag.
The deal is expected to generate about $5.4 billion for the US manufacturer, which thus achieves a victory over Lockheed Martin, which competed with the CH-53K.
The STH competition was launched in 2019 to replace the old CH-53G helicopters supplied by Sikorsky in the 1970s. The official announcement is expected in April when Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht will make a statement to Parliament.
Also according to Bild, the choice of the Chinook was due to the more affordable price and the fact that the Boeing helicopter is used by other NATO nations such as the United Kingdom.
The Boeing package has an unusual partner, Airbus Helicopters, which will coordinate the after-sales work and technical support in Germany.
The purchase of the heavy helicopters is yet another action by the German government to strengthen the country’s defense in a strategic turn motivated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Recently, Germany decided to acquire the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft in addition to selecting the Lockheed Martin F-35A fighters to replace part of the old Panavia Tornado supersonic jets.
