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.
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/
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.
I am very aware a chinook isn’t an attack helicopter, but there is no reason you can’t throw a longbow style radar and targeing system on it and mount an automatic cannon on it… you just wouldn’t want to hunt tanks with it…
https://www.dvidshub.net/video/1000475/3rd-cab-ch-47-chinook-night-gunnery-tables-iv-vi
Or tether automated air defense systems underneath and deploy them dynamically and unpredictably quickly using the Chinooks.
Why buy American though?
My armchair general answer after a quick comparison of various transport helicopters on Wikipedia:
The Chinook is unmatched in its ability to lift cargo as a helicopter in Bundeswehr and NATO service. The NH90, which is the other transport helicopter the Bundeswehr operates, can lift ~5 tons of cargo. The Chinook can lift more than double the amount.
So this is a case of “We can buy American, or we can’t do the task”.
The NH90, which is the other transport helicopter the Bundeswehr operates
The NH90 is also and I hate to say it so bluntly but it is true, a trash helicopter that is always breaking down.
Because Europe has largely failed to understand the role and utility of helicopters in modern war until quite recently, the US military or at least army has never doubted it so shrugs I mean maybe russia will sell you some heavy lift helicopters if you want an alternative…
Otherwise your choice are CH53K’s (also american) or the not yet back in production Bell 214ST and Bell 525 which is american but also now australian for 214st.
Also Airbus H225M but isn’t in the same lift class.
The AW101 seems like a decent UK/Italy alternative. Also Super Puma/H215.
