Japan Ground Self-Defence Force CH-47J/JA Ordered

Japan placed an order for CH-47 Block II Chinook helicopters covering 17 aircraft across the Ground and Air Self-Defence Forces, of which the larger share goes to the JGSDF. The Block II configuration introduces a strengthened airframe, improved rotor blades and a higher useful load, and the aircraft will be assembled in Japan by Kawasaki Heavy Industries under licence. The buy is part of a wider Japanese helicopter fleet modernisation that consolidates types and expands heavy-lift capacity for island defence and disaster response.