19 H135s for Royal Canadian Air Force
November 4, 2024
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is to receive 19 Airbus H135 helicopters under Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme, marking the first time Airbus helicopters will fly as part of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Their procurement has been facilitated by SkyAlyne, a joint venture between Canadian defence leaders CAE and KF Aerospace. “SkyAlyne is excited at the successful conclusion of negotiations between our partners at KF Aerospace and Airbus Helicopters in Canada,” commented SkyAlyne senior executive Kevin Lemke. “The selection of the state-of-the-art H135 from Airbus Helicopters contributes meaningfully to the Canadian economy and SkyAlyne is proud to be building a world-leading Pilot and Aircrew training programme for the RCAF”.
Deliveries of the twin-engine helicopters – completed at Airbus Helicopters’ facility in Fort Erie, Ontario – are expected to begin in the first half of 2026. These will be customised with a number of Canadian-developed STCs, which will include modifications to the avionics suite and communications systems.
Alongside the aircraft, the contract also includes a support and services package, support for the development of a Ground-Based Training Solution, and advanced engineering support.
