Airbus Secures Contract to Deliver 19 H135 Training Helicopters to the Royal Canadian Air Force
Fort Erie, Ontario — In a landmark move for both aircraft manufacturing and military training programs, Airbus has announced its first contract to provide 19 H135 training helicopters to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). This agreement was forged with SkyAlyne, the prime contractor responsible for the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program, which aims to enhance training capabilities for Canadian aircrew.
Kevin Lemke, a senior executive at SkyAlyne, expressed pride in the partnership, stating, “The selection of the state-of-the-art H135 from Airbus Helicopters contributes meaningfully to the Canadian economy, and SkyAlyne is proud to be building a world-leading Pilot and Aircrew training program for the RCAF while supporting Canadian jobs.”
The H135 helicopters will be utilized for a variety of training purposes, including basic ab-initio training, advanced Instrument Flight Rules instruction, and tactical training exercises. The contract also includes a robust support and services package, such as the development of a Ground-Based Training Solution and advanced engineering assistance to ensure the helicopters are ready for service.
“This contract marks Airbus Helicopters’ successful entry into the Canadian military market,” commented Dwayne Charette, President of Airbus Helicopters in Canada. He added that the H135s will complement other Airbus assets already operating within Canada’s armed forces, such as the 310 CC150 Polaris, the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (CC330 Husky), and the C295 Kingfisher.
The assembly and customization of the H135s will occur at Airbus Helicopters’ facility in Fort Erie, Ontario. Modifications will be made to include Canadian-developed Supplemental Type Certificates, which will enhance aspects such as the avionics suite, communications systems, and cockpit development.
Initial deliveries of the new helicopters are expected to commence in early 2026, marking a significant advancement in the RCAF’s training capabilities and further strengthening Airbus’s presence in the Canadian military aviation sector.
