Airbus Helicopters has secured a significant contract with SkyAlyne, a partnership between Canadian defense firms CAE and KF Aerospace, to deliver 19 H135 helicopters to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) for pilot training. This agreement is part of Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program and represents the first time that Airbus helicopters will be integrated into the Canadian Armed Forces fleet.
The twin-engine H135 helicopters will be completed and delivered from Airbus Helicopters’ facility in Fort Erie, Ontario. They will feature Canadian-developed modifications, including upgrades to the avionics and communications systems, as well as custom cockpit enhancements. Deliveries are set to commence in the first half of 2026.
SkyAlyne’s senior executive, Kevin Lemke, expressed enthusiasm for the milestone, saying, “Securing the Airbus H135 fleet for the RCAF is a major achievement for SkyAlyne and the FAcT Program. It strengthens our program schedule and supports the Canadian economy while creating a world-class pilot and aircrew training system.”
Dwayne Charette, President of Airbus Helicopters in Canada, highlighted the importance of the partnership: “This collaboration with SkyAlyne and the Department of National Defence is historic for Airbus in Canada. We are honored to support the RCAF and join the ranks of 12 other militaries that rely on the H135 for training future aviators.”
The contract includes aircraft procurement, a support and services package, and contributions to a Ground-Based Training Solution, alongside advanced engineering support for service readiness.
Globally, the H135 has logged over 400,000 flight hours in military training roles, being used for basic and advanced pilot training. It supports a seamless transition to more complex helicopters, thanks to its twin-engine design and advanced avionics. The H135 will complement other Airbus aircraft in Canadian defense service, such as the CC150 Polaris, CC330 Husky, and CC295 Kingfisher.
Since 1984, Airbus Helicopters has delivered nearly 600 helicopters in Canada, and the current Canadian fleet of 760 helicopters accumulated over 275,000 flight hours in 2023. Airbus’ Fort Erie site serves as a hub for light single gearbox manufacturing and critical composite components, shipping 34,000 parts globally each year.
With over 4,500 employees across ten Canadian locations, Airbus contributes significantly to the country’s economy, supporting 23,000 indirect jobs and generating over CAD 2 billion annually for more than 850 Canadian companies.
