Germany To Own NATO’s 2nd Largest Helicopter Fleet, Air Force Chief Says

German Air Force Chief Ingo Gerhartz says Germany will own NATO’s second largest helicopter fleet with the 60 Chinooks,

Last Month, Germany said it would buy 60 Chinook helicopters from Boeing (BA.N) in a package that will cost up to 8 billion euros ($8.7 billion), including necessary infrastructure for the aircraft.

“We will be the second largest helicopter nation in NATO after the U.S.,” Gerhartz has said.

Almost 50 Chinook helicopters would be stationed at the Holzdorf/Schoenewalde site in eastern Germany, where 1,000 additional soldiers will be also stationed, Gerhartz added.

“The Schoenewalde site will play a unique key role for the Air Force, the entire Bundeswehr and Germany’s security,” he said.

REUTERS /AISHA