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In December 2022, the Canadian Department of National Defence awarded Leonardo with a Contract for the AW101/CH-149 Cormorant Mid-Life Upgrade project. The Contract includes the upgrade of Canada’s existing fleet of 13 AW101/CH-149 “Cormorant” SAR (Search and Rescue) helicopters together with the augmentation of a further 3 helicopters.
This Contract award will extend the life of the fleet while introducing new technology and capability to the “Cormorant” helicopter which has served Canada successfully throughout 20+ years of exemplary service with the Royal Canadian Air Force’s SAR teams.
The CMLU (Cormorant Mid-Life Upgrade) Project will enable the Royal Canadian Air Force to continue to operate the Cormorant through to 2042, with upgrades including state-of-the-art avionics, digital automatic flight control system, a new glass cockpit, powerful digitally controlled engines, wireless in-cabin communications, and the latest SAR sensors that will allow crews to reach maximum efficiency during time-sensitive missions.
The CMLU project builds further upon the relationship between Canada, Leonardo, and Leonardo’s Canadian Partners, as highlighted on April 27, 2023, when Anita Anand – Minister of National Defence – announced that Canadian company IMP Aerospace & Defence would be sub-contracted by Leonardo to deliver important upgrades on 13 of the 16 Cormorant helicopters.
IMP will deliver its part of the project from its Halifax, Nova Scotia facilities, and procure Canadian equipment required for the CMLU Project. Considering this, not only will the extension of the fleets’ life expectancy keep Canadians safer with new advanced technical capabilities, it will also bolster Canadian communities through supporting jobs, industry and local economies.
Minister Anand confirmed that the project will contribute $79 million annually to the Canadian GDP throughout a 12-year timeline. It has also been noted that over 1,000 jobs will be created with suppliers as a result and sustain hundreds of existing skilled careers.
Minister Anand stressed the importance of these upgrades and announced on the collaboration between IMP and Leonardo that the longstanding investment Leonardo has made in Canada through the CMLU project, “will ensure our continued search and rescue capacity going forward, all while supporting jobs for Canadians, and adding millions of dollars in economic activity.”
Sean Fraser – Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and Member of Parliament for Central Nova – also touched upon the benefits of the upcoming project, saying, “Our men and women in uniform play a vital role in protecting Canada and its communities. […] By upgrading our CH-149 Cormorant fleet, we are helping our search and rescue teams operate as safely and efficiently as possible while supporting hundreds of good paying jobs in our communities.”
Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters, has further recognised how the CMLU project will continue these successes into the future, commenting: “Leonardo is proud to continue its 20 year+ relationship with Canada through the award of the Cormorant Mid-Life Upgrade Project. […] Leonardo shall work closely with its Team Cormorant partners to transfer knowledge and capability, the majority of the CMLU helicopters will be upgraded in Canada by Canadian industry.”
The Cormorant a derivative of the AW101, is a versatile platform with advanced onboard technology and design. Its excellent endurance and speed, as well as its ability to weather the harshest climate conditions, makes the AW101 the most advanced medium-lift platform available today.
The dynamism of the AW101 also means that it is the superior solution for Canadian forces; when carrying out sensitive operations that are dependent upon time and efficiency, the AW101 is the leading choice.
The Cormorant alone has achieved in excess of 100,000 flight hours during its 20 years of operation in Canada, highlighting the resilient and reliable nature of the aircraft while it serves the forces and the public during SAR missions. The CMLU project will elevate this already distinguished service history, and further strengthen the industrial, economic and academic prosperity developed between Canada and Leonardo in the coming decades.
This press release was prepared and distributed by Leonardo
Adding Millions of dollars of jobs with borrowed tax payer dollars..
At the end of the day this is all a huge cost borne by the taxpayer..
Only a Liberal could spin it into a Revenue Stream