The German Air Force has reorganized the 64th Helicopter Wing (HSG 64) and moved its command to Schönewalde/Holzdorf Air Base in Brandenburg.

While I think it is foolish for Germany to have largely ignored having a serious attack helicopter for so long, 60 Chinooks is a huge investment in a platform that can launch 12,500*60 kilograms of drones (that is ~3000 Rusty Dagger cruise missiles for reference) while operating out of mobile resupply points not tied down to static assets that are existentially vulnerable to overwhelming pre-emptive strikes or sabotage.

Additionally these Chinooks are just as useful during peacetime for wildfire fighting (also see and in Germany), disaster response and search and rescue among other tasks unlike the vast majority of other tools of war.

Yoink!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8xypKsmeZlk

This is a major deterrance against russia as unless Germany puts all their Chinooks in one basket that never moves there is no way russia can ensure they can destroy or subdue such a massive, unpredictable, mobile interceptor and long range strike drone launch capability during a crucial window of surprise attack.

https://theaviationist.com/2025/05/15/raf-fpv-quadcopter-from-chinook/

  • einkorn@feddit.orgEnglish
    51·
    17 days ago

    a serious attack helicopter

    Chinook is a transport.

    mobile interceptor

    I am not sure what you are trying to intercept at a traveling speed of only ~300 km/h as a transport.

    useful during peacetime for wildfire fighting, disaster response and search and rescue.

    Not business of the Bundeswehr. Deployments of the Bundeswehr in the interior have restrictions unlike in many other nations. These tasks on a federal level fall to the THW. For the Bundeswehr to spring into action, the emergency has to be very specific, i.e., only the Bundeswehr has the necessary tools or be of such severity that the THW is overwhelmed as well.