A Bell CH-146 Griffon utility helicopter from 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron. Credit: John Davies.

The Government of Canada is set to upgrade the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) fleet of 85 CH-146 Griffon helicopters.

Following the refurbishment, the lifespan of the aircraft is expected to last until at least 2031.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, the original equipment manufacturer, has secured a contract worth up to $90m to perform design and development work for upgrading the helicopter’s avionics systems, engines, cockpit displays and integrated sensor systems.

The company will carry out the work under the existing CH-146 support contract it received in 2011.

The government has outlined a budget of approximately $800m for the Griffon limited life extension project.

Griffon is a multi-purpose utility helicopter deployed by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in their operations both at home and abroad.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.
“Extending the life of the CH-146 Griffon fleet will ensure the longevity of the RCAF’s tactical helicopter capability.”

The helicopter can be used to support multiple missions, including tactical troop transport, reconnaissance, evacuation, disaster relief, special operations aviation support, and search and rescue.

RCAF commander lieutenant-general AL Meinzinger said: “Extending the life of the CH-146 Griffon fleet will ensure the longevity of the RCAF’s tactical helicopter capability.

“These helicopters have performed extremely well over the years and with these new upgrades, they will continue to be a valuable asset that will allow our personnel to carry out missions and operations successfully well into the future.”

The CH-146, which is based on the Bell 412 helicopter, has been in use with the Canadian Armes Forces since the 1990s.

The helicopter is capable of transporting up to 15 people, including two pilots, a flight engineer, and 12 passengers, and can fly at top speeds of up to 260kmph.

Upon completion of the definition phase, the government is expected to award a separate contract for implementation in 2022.