Politics · Canada · 12 hrs ago
Canada pauses planned purchase of 16 Black Hawk helicopters
The Canadian government has paused plans to buy 16 Black Hawk helicopters for its special forces.
The U.S.-made aircraft are produced by Sikorsky, part of Lockheed Martin, and the purchase had advanced through the U.S. approval process.
The pause came before trade negotiations with the Trump administration and was linked to trade and diplomatic tensions between Canada and the United States.
Officials are also reviewing planned U.S. military purchases as Canada seeks to reduce its reliance on American equipment and strengthen domestic defence production.
The decision leaves Canadian commanders without the planned helicopters, which they had sought to meet an urgent capability need.
The government has not said whether it will resume the purchase, and it is separately reviewing whether to buy all 88 F-35 fighters originally planned.
Canada has paused plans to buy 16 U.S.-made UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters for its special forces.
The purchase was suspended before trade negotiations with the Trump administration began last summer, according to CBC and Radio-Canada.
Government and defence industry sources linked the decision to trade and diplomatic tensions with the United States.
Officials also wanted to review planned purchases from the United States as Canada seeks to reduce its military reliance on that country.
Critics warned that short-term political calculations could undermine long-term military readiness.
- Who
- The Canadian government under Prime Minister Mark Carney paused the planned purchase.
- What
- Canada suspended plans to buy 16 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters for its special forces.
- When
- Before trade negotiations with the Trump administration began last summer.
- Where
- Canada; the helicopters are made in the United States.
- Why
- Sources linked the pause to trade and diplomatic tensions and a review of planned U.S. military purchases.
Carney government officials
Critics of the pause
Reason for the decision
Carney government officials
Officials linked the pause to trade and diplomatic tensions and said the timing was not right to buy American helicopters without competitive bidding.
Critics of the pause
Critics warned that short-term political calculations could undermine long-term military readiness.
The government ordered a pause on the planned purchase of 16 Black Hawk helicopters.
Trade negotiations with the Trump administration ultimately failed.
- Helicopters planned
- 16 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters
- Intended users
- Canada's special forces
- Manufacturer
- Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin
- Trade talks
- Negotiations with the Trump administration
- F-35 plan under review
- 88 fighters originally planned
What people are saying
continues to evaluate options