The Egyptian Air Force (EAF) is upgrading Anchas Air Base to accommodate twelve CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The project includes a new maintenance hangar, expanded apron, and infrastructure improvements.
A market research notice released by the US Army Corps of Engineers on 24 July revealed. The notice said the 12 new CH-47s would be based at Anchas Air Base, which is more commonly Romanised as Inchas and located northeast of Cairo. The base was used by fighter jets in the past but no longer appears to permanently host any aircraft.
It will require extensive development that includes a new maintenance hangar that can accommodate four Chinooks, the expansion of its existing maintenance apron, the extension of taxiways and roads, the renovation of its existing water and wastewater treatment facilities, and additional airfield lighting, according to the notice.
The US Army Corps of Engineers expects the project to cost between USD25 million and USD100 million and take 30 months to complete.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced in May 2022 that the US government had approved the sale of 23 CH-47Fs to Egypt in a $426 million contract awarded by the U.S. Army to replace the Egyptian Air Force’s legacy CH-47Ds.
The CH-47F model offers enhanced maintenance and cargo-handling capabilities. Egypt’s investment reflects its commitment to modernizing its military operations.
Also, Egypt has the option to purchase 11 more helicopters says Boeing. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2026. The CH-47F Chinook is Boeing’s flagship heavy lift helicopter and among the heaviest in the world. It is the workhorse aircraft for U.S. and other military forces and is used to ferry troops and supplies.
Egypt received an initial 15 CH-47C Chinooks in the early 1980s followed by four CH-47Ds in 1998/1999. Most of the C models are believed to have been upgraded to D standard in 2002. In 2009 Egypt requested the purchase of six CH-47D Chinooks, but it seems this never went any further.
Egyptian Chinooks are operated by 18 Squadron, part of 546 Air Wing and 33 Squadron/Chinook OCU and are based at Kom Awshim Air Base.