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Bell Textron Canada awarded $2.28 billion support contract Griffon helicopters

The Government of Canada on January 17 awarded a $2.28-billion contract to Bell Textron Canada Limited, headquartered in Mirabel, QC, to provide in-service support for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s active fleet of CH-146 Griffon helicopters. The support contract will sustain the fleet until at least the mid-2030s.

“The CH-146 Griffon provides crucial tactical aviation, special operations aviation and search and rescue capabilities to the Royal Canadian Air Force, at home and abroad,” said Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement. “This in-service support contract will be key in keeping this fleet going for the next 15 years.”

Bell Textron Canada is the original manufacturer of the CH-146 helicopter and has exclusive ownership of all intellectual property rights pertaining to the fleet. As of 2024, 82 CH-146 Griffon helicopters are in active service, operating out of 11 locations across Canada.

Under this contract, which will begin in April 2024, Bell Textron Canada will provide program management, engineering, technical and design change services, component repair and overhaul, procurement of spares and heavy maintenance services. The in-service support work will be done in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador, which will create or maintain 1,130 jobs across the country.

“Canada’s aerospace sector is a world leader and a huge benefit to the entire Canadian economy,” said Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence. “This project will have an incredible economic impact, benefiting our economy, our supply chain and, most importantly, our aerospace workers.”

Through the federal government’s Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy, Bell Textron Canada has committed to providing business activities equal to the contract value that will ensure opportunities for the broader Canadian supply chain, including small and medium-sized businesses.

“In collaboration with our many partners in the aerospace industry, our teams deployed across the country will ensure the skills required to support the Griffon remain in Canada,” said Michael Nault, Vice President and General Manager, Bell Textron Canada. “Our 1,500 employees in Canada feel privileged to support the members of the Canadian Armed Forces so they can accomplish the full range of missions entrusted to this fleet, at home and abroad.”

In May 2022, Public Services and Procurement Canada awarded a separate contract worth approximately $800 million to BTCL in support of the Griffon Limited Life Extension project, to perform the modifications required on the fleet of CH-146 Griffon helicopters to extend their life until at least the mid-2030s