The aircraft, which the RCAF calls the CH-146C Mk. II Griffon, now enters a military certification process before a scheduled first delivery in 2026, Bell says.
Canada's procurement agency plans to fast-track its new fighter training program, awarding a contract within three years and introducing the jet by 2030.
Canada finalized a contract with the CAE- and KF Aerospace-led SkyAlyne team to modernize the initial fixed-wing and helicopter RCAF pilot training pipeline.
Recent and deepening cooperation between Russia and China in the Arctic has underscored Canada’s sense of urgency in building out its ISR and maritime ISR capabilities.
The announcements came during a visit by Defense Minister Bill Blair to CFB Trenton, the main operating base for the CE-145C Vigilance and a hub for CC-330s.