Bell Textron Canada, based in Mirabel in the Laurentians, has obtained an $800 million contract from the Government of Canada to extend the life of the Royal Canadian Air Force's 85 CH-146 Griffon helicopters.

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada will thus carry out work allowing these military devices to remain in service “at least until the mid-2030s”, announced the federal government on Monday.

The Quebec company is the original manufacturer of the CH-146 Griffon helicopters. It holds the intellectual property rights to them, which makes it the only company authorized to assess and define the technical modifications and repairs to which the device may be subject.

As part of the aircraft upgrade, Bell Helicopter Textron Canada “will perform modifications on nine helicopters and then manage the tendering process whereby subcontractors will be commissioned to make modifications to the remaining 76 helicopters. “, we clarified.

In particular, avionics equipment of helicopters, such as communications, display or navigation systems, must be updated. The engines of the devices must also be upgraded, lists the ARC on its page dedicated to the project.

The modernization of the devices should begin this year. The first upgraded helicopter is expected to be delivered in 2024, the others will be upgraded no later than 2028.

"Our 1,300 employees feel privileged to carry out the work that will support the RCAF fleet for their critical missions in Canada and abroad," Bell Textron Canada President Steeve Lavoie said in a statement.

"This project will have considerable spin-offs for the economy, the sector's supply chain and, above all, aerospace workers, who are the best in the world," added François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

According to the government, in 2020, the Canadian aerospace sector contributed to the gross domestic product of Canada to the tune of more or less 207,000 jobs and $22 billion.