thumb|CH-146 Griffon on exercises in 2006

The Bell CH-146 Griffon is a multi-role utility helicopter designed by Bell Helicopter Textron as a variant of the Bell 412EP for the Canadian Armed Forces. It is used in a wide variety of roles, including aerial firepower, reconnaissance, search and rescue and aero-mobility tasks. The CH-146 has a crew of three, can carry up to ten troops and has a cruising speed of . The CH-146 was built at Mirabel, Quebec, at the Bell Canadian plant. It was delivered between 1995 and 1997 in one of two configurations, the Combat Support Squadron (CSS) version for search and rescue missions, and the Utility Tactical Transport Helicopter (UTTH), which carries a crew of three and an eight-man section.

thumb|left|[[RCAF CH-146 Griffon in SAR markings]]

The Griffon can be equipped with various specialized bolt-on mission kits which can enhance its performance, from increasing range to improving protection against enemy fire, etc.

Minor disassembly permits transport of the Griffon by CC-130 Hercules or CC-177 Globemaster III aircraft for long-distance deployment.

In January 2019, Canada announced plans to modernize and extend the life of the existing 85 CH-146s to 2031. In May 2022, the contract was signed. The contract with Bell Canada will allow the type to be in service until the 2030s. The maintenance work is done in Canada and sustains over 1100 jobs there.

In April 2024, the Government of Canada announced plans to spend C$18.4 billion over 20 years to acquire additional helicopters that are more "modern, mobile, and effective" to increase the speed and airlift capacity in responding to natural disasters, emergencies, and assertions of sovereignty. It is not clear if implication is to supplement or replace the CH-146 fleet. The CH-146 is one of several assets in Canada's vertical lift portfolio which, by the 2020s, includes the CH-149 Cormorant (Medium-lift Search and Rescue (EH101)), CH-147 Chinook (twin-rotor heavy-lift), CH-148 Cyclone (maritime medium lift transport and ASW (S-92)), among others.

In 2024, the Canadian Government announced a service contract to sustain the CH-146 Griffon fleet.

Operational history

thumb|The first CH-146 Griffon arrives at [[No. 417 Squadron RCAF|417 Squadron, CFB Cold Lake. It is parked on the flightline with the CH-118 it is to replace.]]

right|thumb|CH-146 Griffon in Afghanistan armed with a Dillon Aero M134D "Minigun"

thumb|Trainer version at the 2009 [[Portage la Prairie|Portage-la-Prairie air show]]

thumb|Search & Rescue CH-146 during open house showing rescue equipment

thumb|Army CH-146 in flight

thumb|On display in [[London, Ontario for the Veterans' Flying Salute in 2005]]

The Canadian Forces purchased 100 aircraft By the 2020s, over 80 were still in service in 11 squadrons, and Canada planned to operate them into the 2030s.

Canada

The CH-146 Griffon have been deployed in various operations in Canada since their introduction in 1995. They have been deployed during the Operation Saguenay in 1996 and Operation Assistance in 1997. The CH-146 have also played a major role during the great ice storm of 1998. They were deployed during the 28th G8 summit and 36th G8 summit. They were also deployed to secure the 2010 Winter Olympics during the Operation Podium. In May 2016, four Griffons were deployed as part of Operation LENTUS 16-01, to provide emergency services for victims of the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire.

Haiti and Balkans

CH-146s have been deployed in Haiti. They were deployed during Operation Standard and Operation Constable between 1996 and 1997. They were deployed more recently during Operation Halo in 2004 and Operation Hestia in 2010.

Griffons have been deployed in Bosnia and Kosovo during Operation Kinetic between 1999 and 2000 and Operation Paladium between 1998 and 2004.

Afghanistan

In 2007, the Canadian American Strategic Review suggested that the Canadian Forces consider deploying Griffons to Afghanistan, because they were comparable to the UH-1 Hueys deployed by the United States Marine Corps. The USMC used both the Bell UH-1N Twin Huey (also used by Canada) and the newer Bell UH-1Y Venom.

On 26 November 2008, the Canadian Forces announced in a statement that eight Griffons would be modified to act as armed escorts for CH-147 Chinook helicopters in Afghanistan. Equipped with a M134D Minigun, the helicopters were employed in a defensive and support role, including the evacuation of battlefield casualties. The eight CH-146s arrived at Kandahar International Airport on 20 December 2008.

Suitability for role

The CH-146 was purchased by the CF to replace four existing helicopters, the CH-136 Kiowa in the observation role, the CH-135 Twin Huey in the army tactical role, the CH-118 Iroquois in the base rescue role and the heavy lift CH-147 Chinook. From the time of its purchase defence analysts have been critical of the aircraft pointing to its procurement as politically motivated and that the aircraft cannot adequately fill any of its intended roles. It has been termed "a civilian designed and built aircraft, with only a coat of green paint."

Writing in 2006 defence analyst Sharon Hobson said: