UK DIP 2026: Chinook Force to face temporary but significant reduction ahead of planned new buy for 2030s

One of the 29 older model Chinook HC6A helicopters that the UK is to retire by 2030, leaving a temporary shortfall in numbers as newer aircraft are introduced and ahead of a planned follow-on buy for the 2030s being placed. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Boeing Chinook heavy-lift transport helicopter fleet will see a temporary, yet significant, reduction in numbers over the coming years as older models are retired and newer ones introduced, ahead of a planned follow-on buy for the 2030s.

Responding to a request for clarification following the release of the UK Defence Investment Plan (DIP) 2026 on 30 June, which included the expedited retirement of the HC6A-variant Chinooks, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) told Janes that all remaining such helicopters still in service will now be retired by the end of the decade.

“All 29 HC6A Chinooks will be retired by 2030. The Chinook Sustainment Programme [CSP] will deliver a second tranche of new Chinooks in the 2030s to maintain our heavy lift capability,” the MoD said.

The RAF currently fields eight HC5, 14 HC6, and approximately 29 HC6A (retirements have commenced and are ongoing) Chinooks for a fleet of about 51 helicopters. The HC5s were acquired new as HC3s in the mid-1990s, before being upgraded in the early 2010s, while the HC6s were newbuild CH-47F standard helicopters delivered in 2014-15. Most of the HC6As were introduced from 1981 as the HC1 before being upgraded to HC2 and HC4, and then finally HC6A standard in the early 2020s. Further to these, in March 2024 the MoD contracted Boeing for 14 H-47 Extended Range (ER) Chinooks to be delivered from 2028 to 2032.