Black Hawk helicopters will remain under the control of the GRC for a further three months.
Canadian Government Renews Lease for Black Hawk Helicopters in Border Surveillance Efforts
The Canadian government has renewed the lease contract for three Black Hawk helicopters that are being used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for border surveillance. The renewed lease will extend from July 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025.
The Black Hawks, which are used for monitoring the Canada-US border in Quebec, Manitoba, and British Columbia, are considered a significant asset by the RCMP. The rapid deployment of these helicopters is particularly useful in border patrol operations.
The initial lease period for the Black Hawk helicopters was six months, beginning at the start of the year. According to information obtained by La Presse under the Access to Information Act, the total cost for the initial six-month lease was $11.3 million. However, the specifics of the three-month lease contract renewal, including the costs involved and the reasons for extension, are not disclosed in available search results.
The use of Black Hawk helicopters by the RCMP is a first in Canada, as the Canadian army does not possess such aircraft. The RCMP has a fleet of nine helicopters, six of which are already used for border surveillance and are equipped with thermal imaging cameras. In addition, the RCMP has acquired drones to supplement border surveillance efforts.
The Black Hawks started patrolling the Manitoba-U.S. border in early 2025, indicating ongoing aerial border surveillance efforts involving these helicopters. A mention of "Black Hawk border patrol" appears in a Helicopters Magazine news archive dated February 13, 2025, implying their active use in border-related missions.
In January 2025, the US president had threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all exports from Canada and Mexico due to the flow of drugs and illegal immigrants through their borders. The Trudeau government rejected the US president's accusations, stating that less than 1% of all fentanyl entering the US comes from Canada.
The media event demonstrating the operational capabilities of the helicopters was organized by the RCMP in January 2025 to reassure members of the Trump administration. However, the event was not intended to convince the Canadian population, but to reassure the Trump administration.
Without direct sources, it is speculative as to why the lease contract was renewed and what impact it will have on border surveillance. Typical government and law enforcement aviation contracts could be driven by border security priorities, ongoing operational needs, or delays in procurement.
In summary, the Black Hawk helicopters are confirmed as active in RCMP border patrol as of 2025. Specifics on the three-month lease contract renewal, including costs, reasons, or impact, are not disclosed in available search results. Additional official or government sources would be needed to provide detailed, verified information on the lease renewal and its implications for border surveillance.
- The RCMP, while showcasing the operational capabilities of the Black Hawk helicopters in January 2025, used these vessels for border patrol in Quebec, Manitoba, and British Columbia, emphasizing the significance of these French-origin sports machines in their border monitoring efforts.
- In contrast to the Canadian army, which does not possess Black Hawk helicopters, the RCMP, armed with a fleet of nine helicopters, six of which are utilized for border surveillance and equipped with thermal imaging cameras, also makes use of drones to enhance their border surveillance activities.
