The Canadian government will purchase at least two more Cormorant search and rescue helicopters and upgrade the rest of the 14 helicopters in the fleet, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan announced Thursday.
The modernization project for the Cormorant search-and-rescue helicopter fleet and the purchase of the additional aircraft is valued at up to $1.39 billion, according to the Department of National Defence.
The upgrades will allow the Cormorants to continue operating until 2042.
In May 2018 the Liberal government announced it was proceeding with the sole source deal to modernize the 14 helicopters. The deal is with Leonardo, the Italian aerospace firm whose subsidiaries originally built the CH-149 Cormorants. At the time the Department of National Defence had not determined whether additional Cormorants would be bought, although it acknowledged that was an option.
Sajjan’s announcement Thursday at CFB Comox, BC confirmed the purchase of the additional helicopters. The DND noted that at least two more helicopters will be purchased. There could be other helicopters acquired but numbers still have to be determined.
The CH-149 Cormorant fleet entered service in the year 2000. Canada originally bought 15 Cormorants, but one crashed in 2006.
Powered by three engines, the Cormorants are known for their long-range capability, large cargo space and rear-ramp. The helicopter can carry up to 12 stretchers, according to the RCAF.
The project will see the CH-149s upgraded to the AW101-612 design which is the helicopter model recently procured by Norway for its search and rescue missions. Using an already established configuration accelerates the project considerably, according to the Department of National Defence. Training solutions and related infrastructure will also be acquired, the department added.
In 2005, CH-149s from the Trenton main operating base were redistributed to Gander, Greenwood, and Comox. With the addition of at least two CH-149s to the fleet, Cormorants will return to Trenton and replace CH-146 Griffons in the search and rescue role, according to the DND.
CH-149s are currently based at 19 Wing Comox, 9 Wing Gander, and 14 Wing Greenwood.
The modernization program will include upgrades to navigation systems, communication systems, and flight recorder systems to comply with new Canadian, US, and European airspace regulatory requirements; improved sensor capability and in-cabin wireless communications; and a new avionics suite including navigation, flight management, communications and safety systems in order to address obsolescence and meet current and pending regulatory requirements, The upgrades will bring the helicopters up to the AW101-612 design, the DND noted.
The project is currently in its definition phase. Work is planned for 2020, and the delivery of the first upgraded Cormorant is expected in 2022, according to the DND.
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2019
