The Canadian military’s last ship-borne choppers lasted over half a century. But a false start on replacing the Sea Kings meant the Canadian Forces had to wait 25 years to acquire the Cyclone CH-148s — which now face questions after a fatal crash.

It was called “the worst procurement in the history of Canada” by a former Conservative defence minister.
The Canadian Armed Forces’ journey from the Sea King helicopter to the Cyclone CH-148 was long and, in the words of another minister, “torturous.”
With the arrival of the new Cyclones in 2018, it appeared that long journey was over.
Then, a crash at the end of April cost the lives of two sailors and four airmen once again fixing a spotlight on the twists, turns, false starts and compromises involved in getting new air force choppers on navy ships.
For more, watch the video above.