The Canadian government is launching a massive, $18-billion project to replace its fleet of military helicopters, with the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command slated to be the first to receive the new aircraft starting in 2033.
A Phased Approach for a Modern Fleet
According to a Department of National Defence (DND) briefing obtained by the Ottawa Citizen, the initiative, known as the Next Tactical Aviation Capability Set (nTACS), marks a return to a "balanced fleet concept." The plan will unfold in distinct phases. The first and immediate priority is to procure new helicopters specifically for special forces units.
"The first phase of the work is targeting the procurement of new helicopters to support the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command," confirmed DND spokesperson Andrée-Anne Poulin. Subsequent phases will focus on acquiring Attack Reconnaissance and Medium Lift helicopters for the broader Canadian Army.
Timeline and Strategic Gaps
The ambitious schedule aims to have the first of the new special operations helicopters operational by 2033, with the entire new fleet becoming fully operational by 2038. This new capability is designed to address critical gaps identified by the military, including shortcomings in firepower, reconnaissance, surveillance, and mobility.
The new aircraft will directly replace the workhorse CH-146 Griffon helicopters, which have been in service since the original order in 1992. These Griffons currently provide vital support to elite units like Joint Task Force Two in Ottawa, as well as special forces elements based in Petawawa and Trenton, Ontario.
Procurement Process and Supporting the Current Fleet
The federal government will begin consultations with defence industry firms in the coming months to advance the project. While DND has not disclosed the total number of helicopters to be purchased, the enormous budget underscores the scale of the renewal.
Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Stephen Kelsey, emphasized the initial focus on special forces during a House of Commons defence committee meeting on December 4. The DND declined to elaborate on the reasoning behind prioritizing special forces for the first phase of acquisitions.
To bridge the gap until the new fleet arrives, the government is investing heavily in maintaining the existing Griffons. In January 2024, Bell Textron Canada Limited was awarded an in-service support contract worth over $2 billion, which is intended to sustain the CH-146 fleet until at least the mid-2030s. The government noted it had limited options, as Bell Textron owns all intellectual property rights for the helicopter.
