It's too expensive and spare parts for this 70+ year old aircraft are rare since only 5 where ever made

Far from useless. Not necessarily ideal for some reasons, but has been a solid workhorse for 25yrs+ now

1990s is old in your mind? Reality check for average aircraft ages Reqd. 😂

@@MrShaneSunshine No reason Canada can't invest in newer helicopters, aircraft and equipment like other modern air forces are doing! Many forces are currently divesting themselves of these models. Yes, 1990s is old in terms of maintenance and parts pipelines. You don't think so?? 🤔

​@patallen5095 So yes and no. Most aircraft, even modern aircraft coming straight off of a production line, had their original designs done in the 80's or even earlier - they've just updated and modernized the product as time has gone on. A lot of modern fighters, like the F-15EX even, have their original designs dating back to the 80's The thing with aircraft like the Griffon that a lot of people don't understand is that other than the skeleton of the aircraft itself - many components and structures on the aircraft are essentially like new build aircraft, even if the original airframe starts to age New rotorblades, new engines, a new tail section, new windscreens, new transmission, new various parts inside the aircraft, etc - those are parts of the aircraft that get swapped out somewhat regularly...so while the aircraft may be a 90's baby on paper, most of her parts will be fairly new As much as the Griffon has actually been a true workhorse for a while now & that's a testimony to a great design...I agree that the RCAF TACHEL world would benefit from a proper military aircraft such as the Venom. (Same base aircraft model, but built as a proper military aircraft...) I THINK most air forces are watching the war in Ukraine with great interest, making note of what aircraft we continue using and what aircraft we probably need to divest. There is a reason why the US Army cancelled its FARA project...our next war will be fought so differently than our last

Transitioning from the earlier CH-135 to the Griffon would have been a lot easier vs. going to Blackhawks. There's also the industrial benefits of the platform; the P&W PT6T is a Canadian designed and built engine, plus Bell operates a major manufacturing plant in Mirabel, so domestic support is also much easier.

​@kutter_ttl6786 ^ This The Griffon, although a Bell product, was entirely manufactured in Canada including the engines Also, they were a steal of a deal at the time. $100M for 100 aircraft, so only $1M a pop. For an aircraft entirely built in Canada. During the time they were bought,the government was looking to streamline the aircraft fleets within the GoC's fleets. The Kiowa, Twin Huey, and Chinook were all replaced with 1 aircraft...streamlining pilot and maintenance pipelines Was it the right aircraft? Probably not. Black Hawks are reliable & can carry a lot more cargo & weight, but they are also more expensive to buy and maintain, and wouldn't have been built domestically. (And in an important political riding in Quebec, no less!)

Sorry, they want to give the money to all the immigrants they are bringing in. We will regret it later when we are invaded.