Nova Scotia Completes H125 Helicopter Fleet Renewal

Airbus Helicopters has delivered the fourth and final H125 to the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, completing the province’s fleet renewal for wildfire, SAR and emergency response missions.

The Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (NSDNRR) has operated its own aircraft since 1945 and introduced the Eurocopter AS350—now the Airbus H125—into its fleet in 2016. The helicopters support wildfire suppression, search and rescue, forestry management, aerial surveillance and emergency response across the province, with a multi-role configuration that allows rapid adaptation to a wide variety of public service missions.

In 2024, the Nova Scotia government ordered four new Airbus H125 helicopters under a C$25 million fleet renewal programme. The purchase was partly offset through the trade-in of the existing four H125s, reducing the overall acquisition cost while replacing the fleet with aircraft featuring the latest safety enhancements.

Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia – Airbus Helicopters has delivered the fourth and final H125 to the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (NSDNRR), completing the province's helicopter fleet renewal programme.

Ordered in 2024, the four new H125s replace the department's previous fleet, which entered service in 2016. The helicopters will support wildfire suppression, search and rescue, aerial surveillance, emergency response and personnel transport to remote areas throughout Nova Scotia.

Tory Rushton, Nova Scotia's Minister of Natural Resources, said “These helicopters are essential tools for responding quickly to emergencies, supporting wildfire response, search and rescue, and other critical work that helps keep Nova Scotians safe. Thank you to the folks at Airbus who have been working closely with our Air Services team to make sure these are equipped for their variety of duties.”

Dwayne Charette, President of Airbus Helicopters in Canada, said “Completing this fleet renewal gives Nova Scotia a modern, capable, and versatile fleet ready to support the critical work carried out by the Department of Natural Resources. The H125 has proven itself in demanding environments across Canada, and we are grateful for Nova Scotia's continued confidence in Airbus to keep their crews equipped and ready to respond when communities and natural resources are at risk.”

Configured for the department's operational requirements, the helicopters are equipped with Canadian-developed supplemental type certificates and specialised mission equipment, including high-visibility doors, cargo pods, longline capability, cargo mirrors, an enlarged floor window, a cable cutter, a litter kit and an optimized utility panel.

The H125 is widely used for demanding aerial work and public service missions thanks to its performance, maneuverability and adaptable cabin. More than 4,800 helicopters of the H125 family are in service worldwide, and the type accounted for approximately 75% of the intermediate single-engine helicopter market in 2025.