Canada's long drawn-out plans to replace its venerable CH-124 Sea King fleet moved a step closer to fruition in June 2015 with the official acceptance of an initial six CH-148 Cyclone helicopters at Block 1 standard. However, it will not be until 2017 that the CH-148 will achieve IOC, 13 years after the original contract award to Sikorsky. As a result, the CH-124 will now not retire from service until 2018. Being procured to meet the requirements of the Maritime Helicopter Project (MHP), the CH-148 is a multimission shipborne helicopter based on Sikorsky's S-92. The full scope of the programme encompasses the delivery of 28 CH-148 helicopters, associated logistical and in-service support, modifications to the Royal Canadian Navy's (RCN's) Halifax-class frigates, and construction of a new training facility equipped with a full training suite of flight, mission and maintenance simulators.
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