Airbus Helicopters has signed a landmark contract with SkyAlyne, a joint-venture between Canadian defence leaders CAE and KF Aerospace, to provide the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) with 19 H-135 helicopters to train the next generation of RCAF pilots. The agreement is part of Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program and marks the first time that Airbus helicopters will fly as part of the Canadian Armed Forces.

The twin-engine aircraft will be completed and delivered from Airbus Helicopters’ industrial facility located in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada. They will be customised with a number of Canadian developed Supplemental Type Certificates, including modifications to the avionics suite and communications systems, as well as custom development in the cockpit. Deliveries are expected to begin in the first half of 2026.

The agreement consists of H-135 aircraft acquisition and a support and services package, support for the development of a Ground-Based Training Solution, and advanced engineering support for the release to service.

With more than 400,000 flight hours in a dedicated military training role, the H-135 is utilised for basic ab-initio, advanced IFR and tactical training, with operators including several of Canada’s close military allies such as Australia and the UK. A full spectrum training aircraft, the H-135 facilitates the development of core skills while providing twin-engines and advanced avionics, allowing easy and safe pilot transition to more complex helicopters in the RCAF’s fleet. It joins other aircraft currently operating for Canadian defence, such as the A-310 (CC-150 Polaris), the A-330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (CC-330 Husky), and the C-295 (CC-295 Kingfisher).

Since 1984, Airbus Helicopters has delivered nearly 600 units in Canada. In 2023, the Canadian fleet of 760 in-service aircraft accumulated over 275,000 flight hours. The Fort Erie facility is also the centre of excellence for light single gearboxes, and the single source for critical composite components supporting platforms worldwide. Each year, the industry ships 34,000 parts from Fort Erie to customers around the globe.

In Canada, more than 4,500 people work at ten Airbus locations, covering the commercial airplanes, helicopter, defence and space sectors. Its presence in Canada contributes to approximately 23,000 indirect jobs and generates more than C$ 2 billion in revenues annually for more than 850 Canadian companies.