Canada gets six Cyclone helicopters

[Zarvan]

Key Points

Sikorsky has delivered six CH-148 maritime helicopters to CanadaA total of 28 Cyclones are expected to compose Ottawa's new maritime helicopter fleet by 2018

Sikorsky has delivered six CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopters to Canada, the company announced on 19 June.

"I am confident this modern aircraft will improve our aviators' and sailors' ability to work together in defense of Canada from current and future threats," Jason Kenney, Canada's minister of national defence, said during a ceremony marking the event at the Canadian Forces' base in Shearwater.

The six helicopters were the first of 28 that Sikorsky is expected to deliver to the Canadian Armed Forces. The CH-148 was designed for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, and utility missions. Sikorsky plans to phase-in additional capabilities, while the Royal Canadian Air Force trains its pilots and maintenance personnel on the existing aircraft.

More than 40 military personnel have completed initial training, according to Sikorsky. "In parallel to the development effort, Sikorsky and our Canadian partners are committed to delivering world class, in-service support of the Cyclone to the men and women who fly and maintain the aircraft," said Bill Gostic, Sikorsky's vice president for the programme.

The Cyclone is replacing Canada's Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King fleet. Sea King divestment is expected to begin in 2018.

The last restructure of the programme occurred in early 2014, when Ottawa confirmed it had reached a principles of agreement with Sikorsky to begin deliveries of an interim CH-148 capability in 2015, with full operational capability by 2018. At that time the company agreed to pay damages in the amount of CAD88.6 million (USD72 million) to the Canadian government for the late delivery of the helicopters.

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Canada gets six Cyclone helicopters - IHS Jane's 360

 

[ArsalanKhan21]

Finally we got the new six helicopters replacing 50 years old Sea King helicopters.

 

[That Guy]

Good. Those old Sea kings needed to be urgently replaced, I'm glad someone with enough sense finally decided to do it.