Berlin — Germany's Bundeswehr is finally going to acquire Chinook CH-47F cargo helicopters in a long-delayed, billion-euro acquisition dpa learned from the Defence Ministry on Wednesday. Some €5 billion ($5.3 billion) of the Bundeswehr's defence package of 100 billion has been set aside for the aircraft. Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht is launching the procurement of 60 helicopters from Boeing, according to a ministry briefing seen by dpa.

The Bundeswehr has been seeking to acquire the Chinook helicopters for many years and had halted its attempts after lengthy delays. The heavy-lift helicopters are used for the rapid air transport of vehicles, material and soldiers, and are used in Germany and in foreign missions. The ministry selected the model to allow for cooperation with Berlin's allies, as the helicopters are used by many of Germany's NATO partners including the Netherlands, Spain, Britain, Italy, Greece, the US, Canada and Turkey.

There are also few restrictions on the Chinook for dust landings, as required in Africa, according to military sources. Boeing has stated that it will be able to deliver the model with an air-to-air refuelling capability, to handle greater distances. US rival Lockheed Martin offered to supply the CH-53K model but this is only used by the US and Israel, among Germany's partners.

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