At the International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO), Boeing announced its formal offer of the CH-47F Chinook Block II heavy-lift helicopter to Poland. This offer comes after several months of discussions between Boeing and Polish officials, as noted by Adam Hodges, the business development lead for vertical lift programs at Boeing.
The specific number of helicopters that Poland might commit to remains uncertain, and it is unclear whether this will lead to a direct procurement or initiate a broader industry competition in the near future. If a competition is held, Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky could present a challenge to Boeing’s Chinook with its US Marine Corps CH-53K King Stallion, mirroring the previous major heavy-lift helicopter acquisition in Europe where Germany opted for 60 Chinooks. This order positions Germany as the first export customer for the Block II configuration.
Hodges refrained from disclosing aircraft numbers or the specific requirements of the Polish Ministry of Defence, emphasizing that such details would need to come from Polish authorities.
Indra Dulvenoorde, Boeing’s government services director for Europe, Israel, Canada, and Latin America, added that negotiations on offset requirements have yet to commence, indicating that Poland is still in the early stages of defining its new heavy-lift helicopter program.
Hodges underscored the benefits of the Chinook, stating, “It’s a tremendous asset that the Polish military could utilize and align with its NATO partners,” pointing out that there are currently eight NATO operators of the Chinook. He also highlighted Germany’s order for 60 aircraft, which marks its commitment to the CH-47F Block II.
In addition to the Chinook, Poland has previously ordered 96 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters as part of its Kruk program and is also considering the purchase of 32 F-15EX fourth-generation fighter jets, which align with its air dominance strategy.
Despite facing potential cancellation in the past, the US Army’s CH-47F Block II program appears to have a secure future with a full-rate production contract expected to be awarded in late fiscal year 2025, contingent on favorable conditions, according to a senior Army official.
Boeing’s statement emphasized that the Block II version of the Chinook offers increased lift and range compared to its predecessor, the Block I, making it a significant upgrade for military operations.
