Japan orders 17 Boeing CH-47 Block II Chinook helicopters

The Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) have ordered 17 CH-47 Block II Chinook Extended Range helicopters to modernise their fleet, replacing some of their CH-47JA aircraft, manufacturer Boeing announced on 13 February 2025.

The aircraft will be co-produced by Boeing and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI). The two companies have collectively delivered over 100 Chinooks to the JSDF since the 1980s in one of the longest-lasting and most successful licence manufacturing programmes in Japan.

The Block II Chinook extended-range aircraft is Boeing’s next generation of heavylift, multi-mission helicopter. The aircraft features an advanced digital cockpit, reinforced airframe, enhanced fuel tanks and other improvements, allowing increased performance and commonality with the expanding global fleet of updated Chinooks.

The adoption of a modern aircraft design and avionics architecture enables future technology upgrades and the ability to further expand operational capabilities.

Japan joins the United States, United Kingdom and Germany as the fourth global customer for this advanced configuration of the Chinook.

“This award strengthens our decades-long relationship with KHI and provides critical capability improvements that will keep the Japan Self-Defense Forces operating heavylift aircraft for decades to come,” Heather McBryan, vice president and programme manager for Boeing Cargo Programs, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “The Block II configuration and digital flight controls will modernise and significantly improve Japan’s helicopter transport capabilities by improving aircraft stability, safety and efficiency.”

According to the 2025 edition of the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ The Military Balance, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force operates 44 CH-47J/JA Chinooks, while the Japan Air Self-Defense Force operates 15 CH-47Js.