Canada places $800M Griffon helicopter improve on maintain over technical 'complexity'

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The federal authorities has ordered life-extension work on the air pressure’s ageing CH-146 Griffon helicopters placed on maintain, CBC Information has realized.

The multimillion-dollar refit has run into technical points, say sources who spoke on a confidential foundation as a result of they weren’t licensed to talk to the media.

There’s concern amongst defence planners whether or not Bell Textron Canada Ltd., positioned out of Mirabel, Que., can refurbish all 82 helicopters.

The corporate was not too long ago notified of the contract pause and is at present in talks with each the Division of Nationwide Defence (DND) and Public Providers and Procurement Canada about defining the scope of the $800-million improve contract.

Each DND and the corporate, in separate written statements, confirmed to CBC Information the venture is in limbo and the extent of the upgrades is being reconsidered.

“We stay dedicated to working collaboratively with the federal authorities to adapt the [Griffon Limited Life Extension] GLLE program accordingly,” stated Lindsey Hughe, a spokesperson for Bell Textron. “Collectively, we’re within the technique of redefining the venture’s scope of labor.”

The improve contract was signed in Might 2022 and a separate $2.2-billion sustainment contract to maintain the CH-146 fleet flying till 2039 was awarded in January 2024.

Upgrades embody modernized communication and navigation techniques, cockpit voice recorders, shows, sensors and engines.

It is unclear what number of helicopters have obtained the enhancements. Bell Textron showcased the primary refurbished Griffon in 2024.

A pair of Griffon helicopters belonging to 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron in Kandahar, Afghanistan — The Griffons first entered service within the early Nineteen Nineties, and the improve and sustainment program aimed to maintain them operational till 2039. (Murray Brewster/The Canadian Press)

“Work on the Griffon Restricted Life Extension venture was not too long ago paused to permit for a reassessment of scope in mild of value, schedule, evolving complexity and planning underway for a substitute fleet,” stated Laura McIntyre-Grills, a spokesperson for the Defence Division.

Based on confidential sources the “evolving complexity” entails issues the corporate is having with the improve to the mission system — together with the mission system laptop, one of many components on the centre of the refurbishment.

The venture maintain comes at a very important time because the Liberal authorities weighs what helicopter ought to substitute the Griffon.

The brand new tactical helicopter program has but to be totally outlined, however is anticipated to have an total price ticket of $18 billion, in keeping with the Defence Division web site.

Earlier this 12 months, the Ottawa Citizen reported that Canada’s Particular Operations Regiment would get first precedence for modernized helicopters underneath this system, with deliveries anticipated to start round 2033.

Canada can be underneath stress to contribute extra assets to NATO within the face of the US limiting what it’ll do for the Western navy alliance within the occasion of an emergency.

Each the air pressure and the corporate are actively making an attempt to find out whether or not all or solely a choose variety of Griffons will obtain the improve, the sources stated.

“The venture is being refined to concentrate on focused upgrades that tackle obsolescence, to help continued protected and efficient operations and sound investments,” stated the DND spokesperson.

“Refining the venture scope will allow the most effective worth for Canadians. We stay assured that specializing in these upgrades will present the Royal Canadian Air Power (RCAF) with the trendy, efficient and interoperable helicopters it must proceed supporting operations till the mid-2030s.”

The Griffons first entered service within the early Nineteen Nineties.

They’re primarily a militarized model of the Bell 412EP helicopter and have been used as each restricted troop transport and as a gun platform in the course of the Afghan warfare.

Competitors to exchange the Griffon fleet is anticipated to be intense. American-owned Bell Helicopter and Lockheed Martin, which now owns Sikorsky Helicopter, have been actively selling their very own options. The identical could be stated for Airbus which has tried to steer Canada towards the H175M helicopter.