Equipment Procurement

Afghanistan Air Capabilities

Responding to the need for helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for the mission in Afghanistan, the Government took action and now those air capabilities have taken to the skies in Kandahar. This additional equipment is helping to save both Canadian and Afghan lives. It contributes to providing the security and stability needed for development and governance initiatives to progress in Kandahar. Here's what was put in place for the Task Force Afghanistan Air Wing:

Helicopters:

  • Six commercial helicopters have been leased to address immediate needs. The one-year contract is valued at up to $36 million, depending on flight hours logged, with renewable one year options available.
  • Canada has purchased six used Chinook D-model helicopters - already in theatre - from the United States Government. The cost for the equipment acquisition, plus initial logistics support, training and project management costs will not exceed $252 million. In the long term, beyond the Afghanistan mission, Canada is purchasing new Canadian Chinook F-models.
  • Eight of the Canadian Forces' quick and agile Griffon helicopters have been deployed primarily as escort and force protection for the larger chartered D-model Chinook helicopters. The escort role is essential; without Canada's own armed escort capability, the Canadian Forces would have to rely on allies to provide escort for their medium-lift helicopters.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles:

  • The services of a small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were urgently needed in theatre to provide life-saving intelligence and surveillance for unit commanders. A short-term directed contract has been put in place to provide immediate small UAV support: the Scan Eagle UAV has been leased to address those needs. The contract is valued at up to $14 million, depending on flight hours logged.
  • MacDonald Dettwiler Associates (MDA) of Vancouver, BC was awarded a two-year, $95 million contract for the lease of a Heron tactical UAV system. The Heron is proving to be an integralpart of the modernbattlefield; it provides life saving surveillance and intelligence gathering capabilities that can be used in a variety of operations.