Chinook Block II helicopters for Japan Self-Defense Forces
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Japan's Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) awarded Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) a contract to produce 17 CH-47J/JA Chinook heavy-lift helicopters for the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
The contract, already awarded in October 2024, includes 12 CH-47JA extended-range variants for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and five CH-47J standard variants for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). The contracts are valued at USD 1 billion and USD 458 million, respectively.
The new Chinooks will feature the Block II configuration, which includes structural and design improvements such as redesigned fuel tanks, a strengthened fuselage, and an improved drivetrain. These enhancements aim to increase the aircraft's payload capacity and overall performance. With this contract, Japan becomes the fourth global customer to acquire the Block II configuration of the Chinook.
KHI has been producing CH-47J/JA helicopters under license from Boeing since 1984. As of January 2017, KHI had delivered 108 Chinooks to the JGSDF and JASDF. The JGSDF currently operates 50 CH-47 helicopters, while the JASDF has 15 in its fleet.
Kyoiku Shien Hikotai = School Support Squadron
Herikoputa Kūyutai = Heli Airlift Squadron
Credit photos: Reinier Schreurs and Willem Verkerk (both Scramble Archive)