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BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s plan to buy 60 Boeing Chinook heavy-lift helicopters to replace aging CH-53s costs twice as much as planned may take, Business Insider reported on Thursday. Government and industry sources.
The helicopter was budgeted at €6 billion ($6.47 billion), but the U.S. Army warned Germany that the necessary equipment would be costly, as some components were not fully developed. was notified, the German news agency said.
High additional demands from Germany and inflation could drive prices up to 12 billion euros, the report said, adding that features such as in-flight refueling and special rotor blades are not yet available.
“Since we have not yet received the letter of offer and acceptance from the United States, we cannot make any statements about prices,” said a ministry spokesman in Berlin.
A Boeing spokesman declined to comment on the price, saying it was a government-to-government deal and that the company is a supplier to the U.S. military.
Boeing is currently working on new rotor blades as part of the Chinook’s Block II configuration, but these developments were not requested by Germany, the spokesperson said.
As for aerial refueling, the person added that this has been a feature of Chinook helicopters for 35 years.
According to the company, a contract for the German purchase is expected to be signed this year, and delivery of the aircraft will take three years.
After Russia invaded Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz changed policy in February, sharply increasing defense spending and committing €100 billion to the Bundeswehr.
Over 500 Chinooks are in service with the US and European armies.
($1 = 0.9270 Euro)
Reported by Christina Amann, Sabine Siebold and Kirsti Knolle; written by Rachel More.Edited by Jason Neely
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