Canada is set to embark on a significant military modernization effort, with plans to spend $18 billion on a new fleet of helicopters, according to reporting by David Pugliese of the Ottawa Citizen. A primary impetus behind this substantial investment is the need to respond to potential F-35 fighter jet crashes in the Arctic. Concerns regarding the F-35’s suitability for operations in the far north first emerged in 2010 when critics pointed out that the aircraft is equipped with only one engine, a potential drawback for reliability in the harsh Arctic environment.
Letartean, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A senior Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) officer unveiled this project at the International Military Helicopter conference held in the United Kingdom on Feb. 25th. The new helicopters will undertake the crucial task of replacing the RCAF’s existing Griffon helicopter fleet, with a recognition that multiple types of new rotary aircraft will be necessary to meet the demands of the mission. A key objective of the new fleet will be to provide the capability to rapidly secure F-35 crash sites should an incident occur in Canada’s Arctic. Furthermore, these helicopters are slated to be used in joint operations with the U.S. military and to support Canada’s mission in Latvia.
The financial commitment to this project is substantial, with a total of $18.4 billion earmarked for expenditure over the next 20 years on these new tactical helicopters. Beyond their role in responding to potential F-35 incidents, these aircraft will also provide crucial support to army and special forces units. The planned timeline indicates that the initial operational capability for this new helicopter fleet is anticipated in 2033. Discussions with the aerospace industry regarding this significant procurement are expected to commence in the summer.
The concern surrounding the single-engine design of the F-35 for Arctic operations is not new. Back in 2010, when Canada decided to proceed with the purchase of the fighter jet, critics drew a comparison with the RCAF’s choice of the CF-18 fighter jets, which were selected partly due to their two engines offering enhanced reliability. Canada is currently in the process of purchasing 88 F-35 aircraft from the U.S. at a cost of $19 billion, with the total life-cycle cost for the project estimated to reach $70 billion. It is worth noting that some analysts have advocated for the cancelation of the F-35 purchase, raising concerns about potential strategic vulnerabilities arising from the U.S.’s control over necessary upgrades and software for the aircraft.
The helicopter fleet that the new acquisition will replace consists of 82 Griffon helicopters. These CH-146 Griffon helicopters were initially ordered in 1992 and have played a significant role for the Canadian Forces, operating from 11 locations across the country. In January 2024, the Liberal government awarded a contract valued at over $2 billion to Bell Textron Canada Limited for in-service support of the Griffon helicopters, intended to sustain the fleet until at least the mid-2030s. Additionally, a separate contract worth approximately $800 million was awarded to Bell Textron Canada in May 2022 for modifications to keep the Griffons flying until at least the mid-2030s. These contracts were awarded to Bell Textron Canada as they are the original manufacturer and possess exclusive intellectual property rights pertaining to the fleet.
While Canada’s Department of National Defence (DND) did not offer direct comment on the new helicopter procurement, they did provide the Ottawa Citizen with a copy of the presentation delivered by RCAF Brig. Gen. Brendan Cook, director general air and space force development, at the U.K. conference. Although the presentation was initially reported under Chatham House rules, preventing the naming of the presenter, conference organizers later identified Brig. Gen. Cook. His presentation also highlighted Canada’s existing lack of infrastructure in the north and the Arctic.
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