WINCHESTER, England, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- The British military announced plans to invest $653 million to upgrade the engines and cockpits of its Chinook helicopter fleet operating in Afghanistan.
The engine upgrade will allow the Chinook to operate more effectively in the warm climate and high altitudes in Afghanistan with its modest increase in power.
The more fuel-efficient engine also gives the Chinook longer flight times, increasing its operational deployment time.
In terms of the cockpit, upgrades will improve the visibility capabilities for low-light conditions, which the British Ministry of Defense described as a "key feature of operations in Afghanistan."
Quentin Davies, the British minister for defense equipment and support, described the Chinook as a major component of military operations in Afghanistan.
"The Chinook is the cornerstone of our helicopter support effort in Afghanistan," he said. "These improvements will increase its capability and ensure it can play an even more valuable role in supporting our forces and NATO coalition allies in tackling insurgency in Afghanistan."
The refits are part of an effort by the Royal air force to improve the maintenance cycle of the 36 Chinook helicopters in the Afghan-deployed fleet.
