The Japanese Ministry of Defense has ordered 17 CH-47 Chinook helicopters from Kawasaki Heavy Industries, in addition to its existing fleet of 65 units in various configurations. This decision comes despite the fact that the initial flight of this aircraft took place in 1961, with serial production starting in 1962, and localization in Japan occurring in 1984.
Details regarding the order were published in the budget document of the Japanese Ministry of Defense. The total cost of the order exceeds $1.4 billion, with $1 billion allocated for the CH-47JA Block II version and $458.1 million for the CH-47J LR version.
Thus, the cost of one CH-47 Chinook in modern versions for the Japan Self-Defense Forces is approximately $82.3 million per unit. The first two helicopters under the contract are expected to be delivered to the Japan Self-Defense Forces in 2028, with three more arriving in 2029, and six units each in 2030 and 2031.
According to the document, Kawasaki is set to produce 12 CH-47 Chinook helicopters in the new JA Block II modification, featuring an improved airframe, updated fuel system, and transmission, which increases the payload capacity by about 1.5 tons, bringing it to 12.5 tons. Additionally, five units will be produced in the J Long Range (LR) configuration, which offers enhanced flight range.
Despite the helicopter's advanced age, it remains a highly effective machine that does not require replacement. To address some technical obsolescence and enhance performance, new modifications such as Block II are emerging, transforming a helicopter from the 1960s into a fully modern aircraft.
This is why it continues to be actively used in countries like the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Greece, Egypt, Spain, India, Italy, the UAE, South Korea, Singapore, Turkey, Thailand, and Japan.
However, if one were to look for a potential replacement for the future CH-47 in Japan, the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor could theoretically serve that role, as there are already 12 units in the country. The V-22 Osprey can reach speeds of 565 km/h and carry 5.4 tons of internal payload or 9 tons externally. However, the fact that Chinooks are being ordered could be quite telling.
It is also worth noting that in the USA, the V-280 Valor tiltrotors from Bell, which won the FLRAA program competition in 2023, are expected to replace the Black Hawk in the 2030s. However, there has been no news regarding a replacement for the Chinook.