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/
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 is also and I hate to say it so bluntly but it is true, a trash helicopter that is always breaking down.