By Hadi Fornaji.
Tripoli, 27 September 2013:
The Libyan armed forces are reportedly seeking to buy 22 twin rotor Chinook heavy lift helicopters . . .[restrict]from US manufacturer Boeing, which at book prices would cost in excess of $700 million.
Boeing this week confirmed to defence publication IHS Jane’s that Libya was interested in purchasing CH-47 Chinook helicopters, but declined to give numbers, referring the publication to the US Army. There a spokesman said that it was likely that the order would be for just six Chinooks,
However in August, Boeing’s Senior Manager, International Business Development (Mobility Rotorcraft), Steve Barlage was quoted as saying that Libya was thinking of buying six CH-47D and 16 CH-47F, an upgraded version of the CH-47D .
Before the Revolution, the Libyan military had 20 Chinook CH-47Ds, which had been supplied through AgustaWestland of Italy. At least two of these were destroyed in combat and only one is now thought to still be operational. It may have been the Chinook that was seen flying over the port area of Tripoli last month. [/restrict]
