December 21, 2007: Britain is paying about $15 million each to
have eight Chinook Mk3 (MH-47) helicopters converted from their special
operations role, to standard combat transport models (CH-47). The eight Mk3s originally
cost over half a billion dollars (all together) and entered service 5-6 years
ago. But they have rarely been used, and the need for transport helicopters in
Afghanistan is acute. Britain has 40 Chinook transports, and this conversion
will make it 48. The Chinook can carry
up to ten tons of cargo, or up to 55 troops. A new Chinook would cost about $40
million.
