Turkey receives 7th CH-47F Chinook transport helicopter.

Turkey has started to receive a second batch of five CH-47F Chinook heavy lift helicopters from the U.S., despite the ongoing crisis with the country regarding delivery of F-35 jets, the country's Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) announced yesterday through its Twitter account.

The 7th CH-47F delivered to Turkish Armed Forces
(Credit: SSB/Twitter)

"The delivery of the seventh CH-47F helicopter, which will increase the airlift capacity of the Turkish Armed Forces from one point to another, has been completed," the SSB said.

Four of the helicopters in the second package will be used by Special Forces and one will be given to the Defense Ministry. 

The initial agreement with the Chinook manufacturer, Boeing Defense on the purchase of 11 CH-47F helicopters was signed in 2011. A  first batch of six helicopters was delivered in 2016. 

On 2015, Turkey decided to place an order for five more CH-47F helicopters in a follow-on order to the previous deal. The purchase of these CH-47F Chinook helicopters came under a US government $3.4 billion FMS contract signed in 2013.

The CH-47F Chinook can carry up to 55 fully equipped troops or 22 stretchers and will be used in heavy transportation particularly needed in southeastern Turkey. The two-engine helicopter can reach a speed of 315 kilometers per hour and can carry up to 10,886 kilograms of load.