Canadian Coast Guard accepts first medium-lift helicopters into fleet

The Canadian Government has accepted the delivery of first two of seven medium-lift helicopters into the Canadian Coast Guard fleet.

The new medium-lift helicopters are designed and built by the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada and were delivered to the government as part of the Coast Guard’s Fleet Renewal Plan. 

The helicopters were accepted by Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Dominic LeBlanc.

Dominic LeBlanc said: “The Government of Canada has committed to enhancing marine safety and environmental response through the Oceans Protection Plan. These helicopters support that plan, playing a vital role in ensuring the safe movement of ships on Canada’s oceans and waterways.”

These modern aircraft are expected to improve the capabilities of the Coast Guard’s existing fleet of helicopters and will help support the Government of Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan to enhance the Coast Guard’s capability to contribute to marine safety and environmental response across the country.

Canadian Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada Judy Foote said: “The purchase of these helicopters for the Canadian Coast Guard encourages innovation and drives economic growth. This contract has helped maintain over 170 highly skilled jobs for Canadians across the country in the aerospace sector.”

Helicopters play a key role in delivering key Coast Guard services including ensuring the safety of marine traffic, performing icebreaking reconnaissance, maintaining aids to navigation and marine communications equipment.

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Image: Canadian Coast Guard gets two new medium-lift helicopters. Photo: courtesy of Government of Canada.