Blackhawk Helicopters and 60 New Drones Part of Border Security Strategy
Federal authorities have disclosed updated details about their strategy to enhance border security in order to counter the U.S. tariffs threat. This includes the deployment of Blackhawk helicopters and 60 new drones.
During a press conference on Parliament Hill on Jan. 15, RCMP Deputy Commissioner Bryan Larkin mentioned that two Blackhawk helicopters have been leased from an aviation company in Ottawa.
Public Safety Minister David McGuinty and Immigration Minister Marc Miller also provided an update on border and immigration measures at the same event.
Larkin highlighted that the Blackhawks will be joining nine other helicopters already in use across the country, six of them conducting proactive patrols. The deputy commissioner noted that the original fleet is predominantly made by Airbus.
The RCMP is in the process of acquiring an additional two helicopters on top of the Blackhawks.
“There are procurement and mechanics involved in advancing these efforts, but we are pleased with the progress and can confirm that two more helicopters will be operational on January 17,” Larkin stated.
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The Blackhawk helicopters, widely used by the U.S. military, are produced by Sikorsky, a subsidiary of the aerospace and defense company Lockheed Martin.
Larkin emphasized that the Blackhawk model possesses the necessary capabilities for border surveillance and will grant the RCMP extensive coast-to-coast coverage.
While the Canada Border Services Agency oversees security at ports of entry, the Mounties are in charge of securing the border between these ports.
An RCMP helicopter lands after flying over a protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates as demonstrators block the highway in Milk River, Alta., on Feb. 3, 2022.
Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press
Alongside the new helicopters, 60 additional drones have been dispatched to the border, along with extra mobile surveillance towers, as per security officials.
“These resources will help us further enhance our border surveillance and intelligence activities, in collaboration with our American counterparts,” stated McGuinty.
These initiatives are part of a $1.3 billion border plan announced by Ottawa in response to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s warning of imposing a broad 25 percent tariff on Canada unless issues like illegal migration and drug smuggling are addressed. Trump is set to be inaugurated on Jan. 20 and has vowed to impose the tariffs immediately upon taking office. He has campaigned on shutting down the southern U.S. border to prevent what he views as an “invasion” and has pledged to conduct the largest deportation operation of unauthorized immigrants in U.S. history.
Although the challenges at the Canadian border are less compared to the Mexican border, they have still been a concern for the United States. Foreign nationals have taken advantage of the Canadian visa system to cross into the United States illegally, according to Canadian authorities. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported encountering more individuals on a terrorist watchlist crossing from Canada than from Mexico.
During the press conference, Minister Miller highlighted a decline in the abuse of temporary residency permits since his department intensified efforts last year. Ottawa has also recently implemented measures to stop the practice of “flagpoling,” where individuals with expiring visas can cross the border and instantly receive immigration services.
“Ending this practice will allow border officers to focus entirely on border enforcement, saving 8,000 days of work for border agents,” McGuinty added.
Preparations for tariff retaliation are also underway, with provincial and territorial premiers visiting Ottawa on Jan. 15 to discuss with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau how to respond economically if Trump follows through on his threats.
