After years of delays, replacements for the RCAF’s fleet of Search & Rescue (SAR) de Havilland Canada CC-115 Buffalos are finally operational on Canada’s West Coast. The Airbus CC-295 Kingfishers first began arriving at CFB Comox in 2020 but were left grounded for various technical reasons.
Since the Buffalos had already been disposed of, the slack was carried by Lockheed Martin CC-130H Hercules outfitted for SAR missions re-positioned from bases elsewhere in the country, as well as, to a certain extent, by CH 149 Cormorant helicopters.
The Kingfishers, manufactured in Seville, Spain, are equipped with highly advanced systems and ultra-sensitive sensors that can located humans in distress from distances far greater than previous RCAF airborne assets could.
“Canadians should feel assured that as of today, a fully capable and crewed CC-295 Kingfisher will be available 24/7, 365 days a year throughout Canada’s western territories and waters to support SAR activities,” the air force stated in a press release. “Supported by a cadre of highly trained aircrew and aircraft maintainers, this new aircraft platform represents a generational advancement in Canadian SAR.”
A total of 16 Kingfishers will be procured by the military in a contract worth $2.4 billion that was awarded on December 1, 2016.
“The CC-295 Kingfisher brings an upgraded Search and Rescue capability to the RCAF,” said RCAF commander Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny. “The RCAF and, by extension the CAF, are committed to ensuring the safety and security of Canadians. This new aircraft, equipped with advanced navigation, communication, data management and sensor technologies, will significantly enhance SAR outcomes and save lives. We look forward to augmenting our SAR capabilities as more CC-295 become operational across Canada.”