Canada Plans to Acquire New Helicopters to Support the Deployment of Its Future Fighters in Arctic
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During the International Military Helicopter Conference held in the United Kingdom in February 2025, the Royal Canadian Air Force announced its intention to acquire new helicopters to support the deployment of its future fighters in the Arctic. According to local media, this investment, expected to exceed 18 billion Canadian dollars, also aims to replace the CH-146 Griffon helicopters that have been in service since 1992.
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Until the arrival of the new helicopters, Canada will continue operating its current fleet of 82 CH-146 Griffon helicopters (Picture source: Canadian MoD)
The Canadian military is working on establishing protocols and acquiring the necessary capabilities to respond to potential incidents involving the F-35 in this extreme environment. Since discussions began regarding the aircraft’s acquisition, concerns have been raised about the reliability of a single-engine aircraft for operations in polar regions compared to the twin-engine CF-18s currently in service.
Nevertheless, Canada is increasingly questioning the F-35 acquisition due to the unpredictability of U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration and the strategic implications of technological dependence on the United States. Although the 19 billion Canadian dollar contract signed in 2023 provides for the purchase of 88 F-35s to replace the aging CF-18 fleet, Ottawa is now considering alternatives from other manufacturers, fearing that its relationship with Washington could compromise the sovereignty and long-term viability of its air modernization program.
Canada has several options for replacing its helicopter fleet and supporting F-35A operations in the Arctic, each offering specific capabilities suited to the challenges of this demanding region. The Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone, already in service, stands out for its endurance and maritime performance but is primarily designed for naval missions. The Leonardo AW101 (CH-149 Cormorant), used by the Royal Canadian Air Force for search and rescue operations, benefits from three engines that enhance safety in case of failure and provide significant range, though its operational cost remains high. The Boeing CH-47F Chinook, with its exceptional transport capacity, would be well-suited for logistical missions in remote areas, but its size and fuel consumption could present challenges where infrastructure access is limited. The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, known for its durability and versatility, could be adapted to Canadian requirements, particularly with modifications for extreme temperatures, but being a single-engine helicopter, it raises concerns in the event of a failure in a remote area.
Other potential options include the Airbus H225M Caracal, which has strong capabilities in polar and maritime environments while being more compact than the Chinook, though its adoption in Canada would require adjustments to local requirements. The Bell 525 Relentless, featuring modern technology and extended range, is an interesting alternative, but its lack of proven military service makes it a less certain choice. Finally, Canada could opt for a custom solution, either developing a model specifically designed for Arctic operations or modifying an existing helicopter to enhance its resilience to extreme conditions. This option would provide greater flexibility but would extend acquisition timelines and increase development costs. The final decision will depend on balancing performance, reliability, acquisition and operational costs, and the adaptability of platforms to the Royal Canadian Air Force’s specific Arctic missions.
The new helicopter acquisition plan is part of a long-term strategy. The Royal Canadian Air Force has indicated that the procurement process could extend over 20 years and require infrastructure improvements in the northern regions. Discussions with the aerospace industry will begin this year to assess the capabilities of different suppliers and their proposals, with the goal of achieving initial operational capability by 2033.
Until the arrival of the new helicopters, Canada will continue operating its current fleet of 82 CH-146 Griffon helicopters. A contract with Bell Textron Canada Limited was signed in January 2024 to ensure their maintenance until the mid-2030s, with an investment of nearly 2 billion dollars. This amount is in addition to the 800 million dollars already committed in 2022 to modernize the fleet and extend its service life.
With this acquisition, Canada is preparing to address the logistical and operational challenges associated with deploying the F-35 in the Arctic. However, debates over the relevance of this investment and the country’s overall defense strategy are expected to continue in the coming years as the initial phases of the program are implemented.
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During the International Military Helicopter Conference held in the United Kingdom in February 2025, the Royal Canadian Air Force announced its intention to acquire new helicopters to support the deployment of its future fighters in the Arctic. According to local media, this investment, expected to exceed 18 billion Canadian dollars, also aims to replace the CH-146 Griffon helicopters that have been in service since 1992.
Until the arrival of the new helicopters, Canada will continue operating its current fleet of 82 CH-146 Griffon helicopters (Picture source: Canadian MoD)
The Canadian military is working on establishing protocols and acquiring the necessary capabilities to respond to potential incidents involving the F-35 in this extreme environment. Since discussions began regarding the aircraft’s acquisition, concerns have been raised about the reliability of a single-engine aircraft for operations in polar regions compared to the twin-engine CF-18s currently in service.
Nevertheless, Canada is increasingly questioning the F-35 acquisition due to the unpredictability of U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration and the strategic implications of technological dependence on the United States. Although the 19 billion Canadian dollar contract signed in 2023 provides for the purchase of 88 F-35s to replace the aging CF-18 fleet, Ottawa is now considering alternatives from other manufacturers, fearing that its relationship with Washington could compromise the sovereignty and long-term viability of its air modernization program.
Canada has several options for replacing its helicopter fleet and supporting F-35A operations in the Arctic, each offering specific capabilities suited to the challenges of this demanding region. The Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone, already in service, stands out for its endurance and maritime performance but is primarily designed for naval missions. The Leonardo AW101 (CH-149 Cormorant), used by the Royal Canadian Air Force for search and rescue operations, benefits from three engines that enhance safety in case of failure and provide significant range, though its operational cost remains high. The Boeing CH-47F Chinook, with its exceptional transport capacity, would be well-suited for logistical missions in remote areas, but its size and fuel consumption could present challenges where infrastructure access is limited. The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, known for its durability and versatility, could be adapted to Canadian requirements, particularly with modifications for extreme temperatures, but being a single-engine helicopter, it raises concerns in the event of a failure in a remote area.
Other potential options include the Airbus H225M Caracal, which has strong capabilities in polar and maritime environments while being more compact than the Chinook, though its adoption in Canada would require adjustments to local requirements. The Bell 525 Relentless, featuring modern technology and extended range, is an interesting alternative, but its lack of proven military service makes it a less certain choice. Finally, Canada could opt for a custom solution, either developing a model specifically designed for Arctic operations or modifying an existing helicopter to enhance its resilience to extreme conditions. This option would provide greater flexibility but would extend acquisition timelines and increase development costs. The final decision will depend on balancing performance, reliability, acquisition and operational costs, and the adaptability of platforms to the Royal Canadian Air Force’s specific Arctic missions.
The new helicopter acquisition plan is part of a long-term strategy. The Royal Canadian Air Force has indicated that the procurement process could extend over 20 years and require infrastructure improvements in the northern regions. Discussions with the aerospace industry will begin this year to assess the capabilities of different suppliers and their proposals, with the goal of achieving initial operational capability by 2033.
Until the arrival of the new helicopters, Canada will continue operating its current fleet of 82 CH-146 Griffon helicopters. A contract with Bell Textron Canada Limited was signed in January 2024 to ensure their maintenance until the mid-2030s, with an investment of nearly 2 billion dollars. This amount is in addition to the 800 million dollars already committed in 2022 to modernize the fleet and extend its service life.
With this acquisition, Canada is preparing to address the logistical and operational challenges associated with deploying the F-35 in the Arctic. However, debates over the relevance of this investment and the country’s overall defense strategy are expected to continue in the coming years as the initial phases of the program are implemented.
