Royal Canadian Air Force to get 19 Airbus H135 helicopters
Deliveries from H1 2026
Airbus Helicopters has secured a landmark agreement with SkyAlyne, a joint venture between Canadian defence leaders CAE and KF Aerospace, to supply the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) with 19 H135 helicopters.
The historic deal, part of Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme, marks Airbus’s first entry into the Canadian military market. The H135 will train the next generation of Canadian military aviators.
The H135, a state-of-the-art twin-engine helicopter, will be manufactured and delivered from Airbus’s Fort Erie, Ontario facility in Canada. There, it will be customised with Canadian-developed modifications, including enhancements to avionics, communications systems, and cockpit design. Deliveries are expected to begin in the first half of 2026.
The contract includes the delivery of the helicopters and a comprehensive support and services package. This will cover the development of a Ground-Based Training Solution and advanced engineering support to ensure smooth entry into service.
The versatile H135 will support the RCAF’s mission by helping pilots build core skills before advancing to more complex helicopters. The H135 will join other Airbus aircraft currently used by the Canadian military, such as the A310, A330 MRTT, and C295.
Kevin Lemke, Senior Executive at SkyAlyne, expressed enthusiasm over the successful conclusion of the deal, calling it a significant milestone for both the company and the FAcT program. “The H135 fleet is a critical part of the program’s schedule and will also contribute to the Canadian economy by supporting local jobs,” Lemke said.
Dwayne Charette, President of Airbus Helicopters in Canada, also hailed the contract as a historic moment. “We are honoured that the RCAF has placed its trust in Airbus and the H135, joining over 12 other military forces worldwide that use the aircraft for pilot training,” Charette said. He added that the deal marks a crucial step in Airbus Helicopters’ 40-year history of supporting Canadian customers.
The H135’s proven capabilities, having accumulated over 400,000 flight hours in military training, make it ideal for various training roles, including basic flight, advanced IFR, and tactical training.
Airbus https://www.airbus.com/Helicopters has a long service history in Canada, having delivered 600 helicopters since 1984. The Fort Erie facility, which produces critical components for global platforms, also contributes to Canada’s defence sector, employing over 4,500 people across its ten Canadian locations.
Featured image: The H135 will support the RCAF’s mission by helping pilots build core skills before advancing to more complex helicopters. Credit: Airbus Helicopters/Dianne Bond
