 A programme to upgrade 46 Chinook Mk2 / 2A and Mk3 helicopters was initiated in December 2008 . Called Project Julius , it includes new digital flight deck avionics based on the Thales TopDeck avionics suite , comprising new multifunction displays , a digital moving map display and an electronic flight bag , installation of a nose @-@ mounted FLIR detector , and upgrading the engines to the more powerful T55 @-@ 714 standard . Upgraded Mk2 / 2A and Mk3 aircraft will be redesignated Mk4 from Mk2 / 2a , and Mk5 from Mk3 . Deliveries are expected to commence in 2011 . The first conversion , a Chinook HC Mk4 , first flew on 9 December 2010 . Initial operating capability status was reached in June 2012 with seven aircraft delivered . 
