Airbus Delivers First CT-153 Juno to Royal Canadian Air Force

Airbus delivered the first H135 helicopter, officially designated the CT-153 Juno, to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) on June 17, 2026, initiating the physical fleet modernization for Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program.

The handover took place at the Airbus Helicopters facility in Fort Erie, Ontario. According to an Airbus press release, the twin-engine platform will serve as the foundational rotary-wing training aircraft for the next generation of Canadian military pilots. The delivery occurred 18 months after the initial program framework was established.

Modernizing Canadian pilot training

The FAcT program is a comprehensive initiative to replace legacy training systems and establish a unified standard for multi-engine transition training within the RCAF. The aircraft acquisition is managed by SkyAlyne, a joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace.

On November 4, 2024, SkyAlyne and KF Aerospace signed a contract with Airbus to acquire 19 H135 helicopters. The first of these aircraft was publicly unveiled at the CANSEC 2026 defence exhibition in Ottawa on May 27, 2026, prior to its official handover.

The Canadian variants feature specific modifications developed in-country. These include customized avionics, communications systems, and cockpit configurations tailored to RCAF requirements. The aircraft are also equipped with the Airbus Helionix avionics suite.

Industry and military collaboration

The 18-month timeline from framework to delivery required close coordination between the manufacturer, the training consortium, and the Canadian government. SkyAlyne General Manager Kevin Lemke stated that the collective mission is to ensure the RCAF maintains a strategic advantage in the skies.

“By working together collaboratively, we, industry, military, and Government, can deliver better work, faster, to make sure the RCAF has the best trained aircrew in the world, and our selection of the CT-153 Juno is a core component of that effort,” Lemke said.

Dwayne Charette, President of Airbus Helicopters in Canada, noted that the delivery highlights the depth of domestic capability. He added that the milestone underscores a long-term commitment to supporting Canadian defense with in-country expertise.

Global footprint of the H135

The RCAF joins a broad international operator base utilizing the H135 in military training roles. According to Airbus, 13 militaries globally currently operate the platform for aircrew instruction.

The manufacturer reports that more than 1,600 H135 family aircraft have been delivered worldwide across all variants. Of those, over 200 helicopters are either delivered or on order specifically for military training missions, accumulating more than 650,000 flight hours in that capacity.

AirPro News analysis

We view the 18-month turnaround from contract framework to first delivery as a notable achievement in modern defense procurement, a sector frequently characterized by extended timelines and supply chain delays. By selecting an established commercial off-the-shelf platform like the H135 and modifying it domestically, SkyAlyne and the RCAF have mitigated significant developmental risks.

The integration of the Helionix avionics suite will provide Canadian student pilots with a modern glass-cockpit environment that closely mirrors the operational helicopters they will eventually fly. This standardization is critical for smoothing the transition from the training environment to frontline RCAF squadrons.

Sources: Airbus