Canada looks to both NATO and the US for next generation helicopter beyond 2035
Royal Canadian Air Force CH-146s have been undergoing upgrades. (Photo: Canadian MoD)
Aircraft set for replacement under NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) include AW101, UH-60 Black Hawk, Puma and NH90.
Canada has officially become part of NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) as it looks to replace its fleet of Bell CH-146 Griffon helicopters beyond 2035 while also monitoring the efforts of its southern neighbour’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) programme.
NGRC has been conducted under the auspices of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) with five concept studies being conducted, three by industry and two by militaries.
A study of novel powerplants was awarded in 2023 to GE Aerospace and another to Lockheed Martin last year into open systems architecture.
These two studies will inform a third company study into
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line]()
Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line
As the launch customer for the NATO-configured variant, Portugal also took delivery of the first five A-29N aircraft from its order for 12, placed in 2024.
-
![Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order]()
Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order
The first of the 12 M-346 aircraft are expected to be delivered to the Austrian Air Force by 2028, according to the company.
-
![2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending]()
2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending
Qatar and Indonesia followed the US’s high spending on new uncrewed aerial vehicle contracts across 2025, while MALE and micro drones and loitering munitions were particularly popular subcategories this year.
-
![The future is here: Sixth-gen air dominance]()
The future is here: Sixth-gen air dominance
How RTX is equipping the military airspace – for today’s fleet and tomorrow’s fight.
