The Canadian government has reportedly suspended plans to purchase 16 American-made Black Hawk helicopters for its special forces, amid ongoing trade and diplomatic tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. According to CBC News and Radio-Canada, Ottawa quietly halted the acquisition ahead of trade negotiations with Washington last summer, reflecting growing concerns over Canada’s military dependence on the United States.
The UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, manufactured by Sikorsky, a subsidiary of U.S. defence contractor Lockheed Martin, were intended to replace the Canadian military’s aging CH-146 Griffon helicopters. Sources familiar with the procurement process indicated that the proposed purchase had already received approval from the U.S. State Department agency responsible for foreign military sales and was awaiting congressional review when Canadian officials put the deal on hold.
The decision was reportedly influenced by deteriorating Canada-U.S. relations, including Trump’s tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and automotive products, as well as his repeated remarks questioning Canadian sovereignty. The suspension also formed part of a broader federal review of planned military purchases from American suppliers.
Since taking office in 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney has emphasized strengthening Canada’s domestic defence industry, encouraging partnerships with international manufacturers operating in Canada and reducing reliance on direct foreign military purchases. Officials reportedly concluded that proceeding with the helicopter acquisition without a competitive bidding process would be inappropriate under the circumstances.
The development comes as Ottawa continues to reassess its planned acquisition of 88 F-35 fighter jets, also manufactured by Lockheed Martin. While Canada has committed to purchasing 16 aircraft and ordered components for additional jets, the government has yet to determine whether it will proceed with the entire fleet.
Responding to questions about the Black Hawk procurement, Sofiya Sapeha, spokesperson for Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr, said the federal government continues to examine alternatives to meet the operational requirements of Canada’s special forces.
The Black Hawk helicopters were considered particularly suitable for military operations in Canada’s Arctic because of their durability, operational capabilities and extended range. The aircraft can achieve a typical combat radius of approximately 595 kilometres, with a range of up to 2,250 kilometres when supported by aerial refuelling.
Canada’s special operations forces currently rely on the CH-146 Griffon, which has been in service for more than three decades. The helicopters are operated by the 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron. Defence experts have highlighted the operational advantages of the Black Hawk, particularly for missions involving long distances and challenging northern environments.
The suspension underscores Ottawa’s efforts to balance military modernization requirements with its broader objective of strengthening Canadian defence sovereignty amid continuing uncertainty in relations with Washington.
