The Northwest Territories RCMP has taken delivery of a new twin‑engine jet intended to strengthen policing, emergency response and public‑safety operations across the territory.
New aircraft arrives in Yellowknife
The aircraft, a Pilatus PC‑24, arrived in Yellowknife on Oct. 6 after a contract was awarded to Pilatus in January 2025. The territorial RCMP worked with the Government of the Northwest Territories on the acquisition at a cost of $21,500,000.
The jet replaces a single‑engine turboprop the RCMP had been leasing from Ottawa. That aircraft was severely damaged in an accident in April 2023 and had been used to support operations while a longer‑term solution was developed.
Operational improvements for northern conditions
RCMP officials say the PC‑24 brings several performance advantages the force believes are better suited to northern flying. Key benefits the RCMP highlighted include increased passenger capacity, greater speed and extended range compared with the previous model.
- Safety: twin engines provide an extra margin of safety on long overland flights and when crossing large bodies of water.
- Range and speed: faster transit times between communities and longer unrefuelled legs.
- Capacity and capability: more room for personnel and equipment, and improved onboard systems for northern operations.
“Through hard work by the RCMP and outstanding support from our territorial government partner, I am proud to say that the Northwest Territories now has the most advanced air platform designed to enhance public safety throughout the NWT.”
The quotation came from Chief Superintendent Dyson Smith, commanding officer of the RCMP’s "G" Division, which covers the Northwest Territories.
Time savings between major destinations
The RCMP pointed to a specific example of operational improvement. On the former single‑engine PC‑12, a flight between Yellowknife and Inuvik took approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. The PC‑24 is expected to complete the same sector in about 1 hour and 35 minutes — significantly reducing transit times for urgent deployments.
| Aircraft | Typical Yellowknife–Inuvik flight time |
|---|---|
| PC‑12 (single‑engine) | 2 hours 20 minutes |
| PC‑24 (twin‑engine) | 1 hour 35 minutes |
Modernization plan and procurement timeline
The PC‑24 was recommended for the RCMP’s "G" Division in 2024 under the force’s Aircraft Modernization Plan. Award of the purchase contract to Pilatus took place in January 2025, and the aircraft reached Yellowknife this week.
RCMP officials described the procurement as part of a broader effort to upgrade air capability in the North, where distances are vast, communities are often isolated and weather can complicate travel. Air assets play a central role in policing, medical evacuations, search and rescue coordination and transporting personnel and supplies.
Local implications and public accountability
At a price tag of $21.5 million, the aircraft represents a substantial investment by the RCMP and the territorial government. The force argues the cost is warranted by improved safety, operational reach and response times across the territory’s remote regions.
For residents and community leaders in the N.W.T., the new jet may mean faster access to provincial‑level policing resources and greater capacity for support during emergencies. The RCMP will operate the aircraft from Yellowknife as the hub for northern missions.
Further details on operational schedules, maintenance arrangements and the aircraft’s formal integration into RCMP missions have not been released publicly. The RCMP says the PC‑24 will be used to support policing, public‑safety and emergency‑response activities throughout the Northwest Territories.
As the territory adapts to changing transportation needs and the realities of northern logistics, the arrival of the PC‑24 marks a notable upgrade to the RCMP’s toolkit for working across vast Arctic and sub‑Arctic distances.
