Canada suspends Black Hawk helicopter purchase amid escalating US trade dispute

Ottawa quietly suspended a modest order for 16 US-built UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters that would replace the aging CH-146 Griffon in Canada’s special-operations fleet. The decision was taken shortly before trade negotiations with the Trump administration commenced and is tied to broader tensions over tariffs on steel, aluminium and automobiles. Government officials said the pause allows a review of all U.S. military procurements, including a pending review of a full-scale F-35 purchase from Lockheed Martin.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, elected in 2025, has prioritized building a domestic defence industry and only resorting to foreign buys after competitive processes. Defence analysts note that political discomfort, rather than strategic shifts, drives the hesitation, while a Lockheed Martin spokesperson said the firm remains ready to supply the helicopters. Additional U.S. contracts for cloud services and training systems are also awaiting announcement.