Black Hawk helicopters patrolling B.C. border face renewal decision
Three helicopters have logged 857 patrols and 70 arrests since January 2025, but critics question whether they're worth $39.9 million.
The RCMP's contract for three Black Hawk helicopters patrolling the B.C.-U.S. border is set to expire May 31, forcing a decision on whether to renew the costly program.
Since January 2025, the three helicopters have cost $39.9 million—$3.4 million of that on fuel. They've completed 857 patrols, reported 144 "flight sightings" of suspicious activity, and led to 70 arrests with ground-crew assistance. The RCMP says they're effective deterrents.
One Black Hawk in particular—a 1985 Sikorsky that flew for the U.S. Army before being imported to Canada in 2023—has become familiar to Lower Mainland residents. Between June 2025 and April 2026, it made 123 flights over B.C., mostly over Delta, Surrey, Langley, and Abbotsford during daylight hours.
But locals near the border have noticed. Residents in South Surrey complained about noise over White Rock beach. In South Langley, near the border, one homeowner said the helicopter flew so low over her house and yard that "you can hear it and see it flying overhead." She added: "For the price, I honestly do not notice a difference from the last five years."
Weslie Wark, a national security expert at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, questioned whether the helicopters are the most effective tool. "I think they're more symbolic than truly useful," he said, noting drones could be cheaper and stealthier.
The RCMP said the program has proven effective. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it values ongoing collaboration with Canada but did not comment on specific tactics.