Luftwaffe/German Air Force News, Discussions & Updates

[kato]

Germany one step closer to acquiring CH-47Fs to replace their fleet of CH-53Gs
Package includes 60 airframes, 140 engines and associated aircraft systems.
Reported that once negotiations are finalized and contracts signed it should take three years to complete delivery

The parliamentary budget committee signed off on the CH-47F FMS buy this week, with deep-running reservations about both the contract and its cost. The main problem to parliament is that CH-47F Block II as negotiated does not have certification by the US Army (yet).

The signed-off budget is 7.2 billion Euro for the FMS contract and 750 million Euro for related infrastructure costs. As a condition for the funding parliament has formally obliged the Bundeswehr to annually report on infrastructure development for this, as well as to ensure an aircraft availability of 70% for CH-47F with required reporting whenever falling below this line.

 

[At lakes]

German air force plans major Asia-Pacific tour in 2024

France and Spain are also slated to send aircraft for training visits, putting a "European face" on the summer deployment, the German air force chief said.

www.defensenews.com

The German Air Force is planning a major deployment in 2024 they will be accompanied units from Spain and France with a maybe on Italy and the UK. Participation in RIMPAC and later in Australia Pitch Black

 

[kato]

While it's not only Air Force:

The defense committee and budget committee today signed off on a purchase of 62 H145M plus 20 optional plus 24 weapon kits (H-FORCE) for them. Project cost is 2.1 billion Euro.

The primary purpose of these new helicopters will be to provide a light (cheap) airframe for keeping pilot flight hours up. Additionally they are planned for liaison and observation roles. The helicopters are going to the Army (48 incl. 24 armed) and Air Force (14?). The Air Force already operates 15 H145M for transport purposes for special forces; the Army has 7 H145 (not M) for SAR. The 20 optional ones in the new procurement would likely partially be a fallback option for the Navy, which has stated previously that they would prefer to keep their current service provider model (i.e. renting civilian helicopters).