
Japan has been a user of the Boeing (Kawasaki) CH-47J/JA platform since the early 1980s. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force currently has 53 helicopters in service, while the Japan Air Self-Defense Force has 15. (Tomohiro Ohsumi/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Japan's Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) has awarded a contract to acquire new Boeing (Kawasaki) CH-47J/JA helicopters. The new helicopters are improved Block II variants, Boeing has said.
The contract, awarded to Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) in October 2024, covers the domestic production of 12 new CH-47JAs for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and five new CH-47Js for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). The Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD) published details of the contract later in 2024. An ATLA spokesperson confirmed to Janes on 27 December that the contracts are valued at JPY161.1 billion (USD1 billion) and JPY71.4 billion respectively.
“With this contract award, Japan becomes the fourth global customer to acquire the Block II configuration” of the Chinook, a Boeing spokesperson told Janes on 9 January 2025.
The Block II Chinook includes structural and design improvements to support future upgrades. Block II helicopters also incorporate redesigned fuel tanks, a strengthened fuselage, and an improved drivetrain, Boeing added.
According to the ATLA spokesperson, the production of the 17 new CH-47J/JAs was contracted under the Japan 2024 fiscal year (FY) budget. The new helicopters will primarily replace existing “CH-47J/JAs that are currently operated in the JGSDF and the JASDF”, the ATLA spokesperson said.
The CH-47Js and CH-47JAs are KHI derivatives of the CH-47D Chinook. KHI was granted a manufacturing licence for the Chinook in 1984, according to Janes data. KHI states on its website that it has been manufacturing the CH-47J/JA from 1993 and have “delivered more than 110 units” to the JGSDF and the JASDF.
Looking to read the full article?
Gain unlimited access to Janes news and more...