Correct - this is not a NATO-led requirement but a 'stop-gap' measure until the expensive and futuristic-vertical-lifty stuff arrives - whenever that will be; lets be conservative and say 2035-2040.
UK demands value for money without sacrificing capability. UK demands a low-risk option that requires minimal development. UK is aiming for net-zero carbon emissions in procurement.
As a UK tax payer, it concerns me that some PPrRuNers, mostly residing in Somerset, think you need a new design rather than a combat-proven and purposefully-designed aircraft updated with future-proofed avionics/engines etc and that Yeovil should be the 'default' option. The Chinook is more than 10-years older than the Black Hawk but still proving invaluable and in a field of its own for many years to come. The US Armed Forces are still developing the Black Hawk and are committed to 2070 (eg, Jolly Green II). - proving that it matters not how old the original design is if it's 'right'.
Using LEDs to light a parts shed does not mean 'net-zero' ;-) The Somerset lot will say and do anything to try and sell their unpopular machine and work on the premise that if you shout it from the rooftops (or fly the Daily Mail down the Thames in a painted O&G machine) then it must be true. It was 'launched' in 2006 and has been sold to 2 Countries (both with shocking Human Rights records) in small numbers. We've heard the "we'll build it in UK if you buy us" chant before but Bristows had to send engineers to Italy to ensure they built them correctly for SAR role.
There is a non-OEM solution that would get the Army their Black Hawks at a fraction of a price of the competition (5:2 ratio if FlightGlobal's Egypt/AW149 article correct) and they'd be made in UK to help level-up the country and disperse MOD procurement. The aircraft already slings twice that of the 149/189, is quicker over distance and around the battlefield, relishes DVE and can survive an RPG round - not mentioning that you don't have to ask the troops to move each time you need to swing the weapon through the cabin !