THUNDER BAY — The Government of Ontario has placed an order for a new state-of-the-art helicopter for use by OPP in Northwestern Ontario.
The Airbus H135 will be assembled at the Airbus facility in Fort Erie, Ont..
Premier Doug Ford visited the plant Friday, where he announced the purchase of three H135 helicopters for the OPP.
The other two will be assigned to the Greater Toronto Area and to Ottawa region.
Airbus has delivered over 1,500 of the twin-engine aircraft – previously known as the Eurocopter EC135 – worldwide.
The H135 can carry five or six passengers and one or two pilots, and has a range of 342 nautical miles.
The company says it can carry more payload over longer distances than other helicopters in its category, and is known for its endurance, versatility, compact build, and low sound levels.
OPP already have this model in their Orillia-based aviation services fleet.
A police spokesperson said the aircraft are equipped with the latest technology, including thermal imaging.
The new units are expected to be delivered in the summer or fall of 2025.