Medium-lift helicopters

The Canadian Coast Guard currently operates 21 helicopters in support of key programs and services across the country, including on Canada’s coastline (the single longest in the world), on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway, in the North, as well as on other inland waters.

In August 2012, the Government of Canada announced a procurement initiative to obtain up to 24 helicopters for the Coast Guard over a five-year period.  This initiative is a key component of the Coast Guard’s Fleet Renewal Plan.

These helicopters will help support the Government of Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan by contributing to the Coast Guard’s readiness and response capability across the country.

Helicopters are used in delivering key Coast Guard services, including ensuring the safety of marine traffic and icebreaking reconnaissance, maintaining aids to navigation and marine communications equipment, science and fisheries enforcement and transporting personnel and cargo between ship and shore.

The $156-million contract for the seven medium-lift helicopters was awarded to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd. in December 2014. The remaining five medium helicopters are expected to be delivered by the end of March 2017. 

In addition to the contract for medium-lift helicopters, Bell Helicopters Textron Canada Ltd was awarded a contract for 15 light-lift helicopters in May 2014 for $172 million.  All of the Bell 429 helicopters delivered under this contract are now in service at Coast Guard bases across the country, the last helicopter having been accepted in February 2016. The Coast Guard is looking at options for the remaining two helicopters under the original plan.

December 2016