Winnipeg looking for to upgrade police helicopter

The City of Winnipeg may soon be upgrading its eye in the sky, as plans are underway to replace the Winnipeg Police Service helicopter with a new model, one that comes with a substantial price tag.

Currently, WPS is flying Air 1, which has served the city for the past 14 years. In 2023 alone, the helicopter flew 864 hours over 220 days, assisting in 401 cases, located 200 suspects, 14 missing persons, and supported 111 large-scale events.

“The current helicopter is reaching its end of life, parts to replace it are either becoming scarce to find or becoming very expensive,” said Markus Chambers, Police Board Chair.

“I think this is a good deal for the citizens of Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Police Service.”

The new Airbus H125 helicopter would cost roughly 13.5 million dollars. Police Board Chair Markus Chambers supports the idea, but suggests a lease-to-own option instead.

“The annual cost for maintenance is born into the lease agreement so it actually ends up cheaper, as right now the service owns the helicopter meaning they have to pay annual maintenance costs on it as well,” said Chambers.

Winnipeg’s mayor, Scott Gillingham adds, “For the sake of trying to keep our city safe and assist the WPS in doing their work I’m supportive of the lease to own.”

While Gillingham emphasized the helicopter’s value for public safety. He also highlighted drone technology as an option.

“I’d like to see the police looking at the idea of drone technology in the long term,” said Gillingham.

If the City were to commit to leasing, it would cost roughly 900 thousand dollars a year over the span of 15 years, which Chambers says can be done, citing a meeting Friday morning

“The service this morning at SBC Finance indicated they met the target for the budget this year there is no over-expenditure, as a matter of fact, they are returning money back to general revenue,” said Chambers.

If approved, the new helicopter would take to the skies in 2027.