Upgrade of South Korean Chinooks

Boeing and Korean Air have signed a memorandum of understanding for upgrading the Chinook helicopter’s Honeywell T55-L-712 series engine to the 714A variant, installing a digital glass cockpit and digital flight controls, as well as a new electronic warfare self-defence suite for increased survivability. The upgrade should be completed before 2028. The Korean Defence and Acquisition Programme (DAPA) issued a request for information (ROI) for upgrades to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) and Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) 42-strong Chinook fleet in early 2017. The acquisition of new Chinooks to expand the fleet is also under consideration. The ROKA received 18 CH-47Ds between 1988 and 1990 and six CH-47D (LR) long-range versions were delivered to the ROKA during 1990. The ROKAF later received six HH-47D Chinooks in 1991.