De Havilland Aircraft of Canada is a global leader in turboprop and special-mission aircraft. This Canadian company, that has acquired leading brands like Viking Air, has been partnering with CCC to set up G2G contracts with governments in Latin America, Europe and the U.S. for the sale of its aircraft, services and training.
Read about De Havilland’s success in using our U.S. DoD Prime Contractor program and International Prime Contractor program to win G2G opportunities.
About De Havilland Canada
De Havilland Canada was founded in 1928, when it delivered its first aircraft—a DH.60 Moth—to the Toronto Flying Club. In the 1930s, the company built all‑Canadian DH.82 Tiger Moth to Royal Canadian Air Force specifications, and by the end of that decade had delivered 439 aircraft of 18 different models.
During the Second World War (1939‑45), De Havilland Canada became one of Canada’s largest aircraft manufacturers. In the post‑war years, the company produced bush‑planes such as the DHC‑2 Beaver designed for wheels, skis and floats to serve Canada’s remote regions. It also introduced the DHC‑3 Otter and later the DHC‑4 Caribou for the U.S. Army’s requirement for a twin‑engine STOL (short takeoff and landing) aircraft.
The 1960s marked a transition into the turbine era and a growing focus on the commuter and regional airline market. The 1980s saw the development and first flight of the Dash 8 Series 100, marking the start of a successful line of fuel‑efficient turboprop regional aircraft.
By the 2010s, De Havilland Canada had become a global aviation leader and acquired brands like Field Aviation Company, Viking Air and Longview Aviation. Its aircraft, numbering over 5,000 delivered, operate in some of the harshest climates and undertake roles from public transport to aerial firefighting, search and rescue, medical evacuation, and surveillance.
Series 400 Twin Otter aircraft sold to Fuerza Aerea del Peru. Source: Viking Air.
Viking has been providing factory-new spare parts and hands-on technical support to the Peru Air Force under the Maintenance Plus program since 2016. Source: Viking Air. Photo credit Katsuhiko Tokunaga.
Peruvian Air Force Buys 12 Twin Otters through G2G
In 2010, the Peruvian government entered an intergovernmental or government to government (G2G) contract with CCC for the purchase of twelve Viking Air (now De Havilland Canada) Series 400 Twin Otters for the Peruvian Air Force.
The 19-passenger aircraft are configured with both land gear and floats for carrying out various missions in remote areas including remote jungles of the Amazon headwaters to the high mountains of the Andes. The contract not only included aircraft but also training, spares and equipment.
At the time, David Curtis, Viking Air President and Chief Executive Officer said, “We are extremely proud to have the Peruvian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea del Peru) as a new Series 400 customer. With this acquisition Peru will become the largest government operator of the Twin Otter, with a total of seventeen aircraft including the five legacy aircraft in their current fleet.”
Follow-up contracts
Viking Air (now De Havilland Canada) continues to have a relationship with the Fuerza Aerea del Peru (FAP). In 2016, the company entered a multi-year contract for the comprehensive support of the Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft operating in the Amazonian region of north-east Peru. The contract streamlines the procurement of spare parts and enables seamless technical support.
In 2017, Peru Air Force became the first operator to select a full flight training package utilizing the new Twin Otter Series 400 “Level D” Flight Simulator program offered through Viking’s sister company, Pacific Sky Aviation.
According to Michael Coughlin, CEO of Pacific Sky Aviation during the contract announcement, “this innovative technology will provide state-of-the-art simulator training options for pilots wanting to perfect takeoffs, landings and docking operations through a range of sea states and weather conditions. This realistic and safe seaplane simulation environment will in turn reduce the time and cost to develop seaplane captains.”
In 2020, Viking Air renewed its contract with the Peruvian Air Force for comprehensive Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft support for another five years.
The Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement was the second Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed by Canada in 2008 and Canada’s fifth FTA with countries of the Americas. Parallel accords on environmental and labour cooperation are also in force. Learn more
Expanding into Argentina with CCC
Viking Air’s (now De Havilland Canada) success in Latin America with CCC’s support did not end in Peru. In 2019, CCC’s expertise in international contracting facilitated the sale of a DHC-6 Series 400 Twin Otter aircraft to Argentina’s Federal Police.
The transaction, flowed out of the 2011 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Security of Argentina and CCC for the acquisition of security equipment. The G2G contract between CCC and the Argentinian Federal Police, reduced procurement risk and enabled the country to quickly acquire a custom aircraft to address its safety and security needs.
Patricia Bullrich, Minister of Security, Government of Argentina at the time of the purchase said, “this aircraft is a key instrument for the fight against organized crime, against drug trafficking, and can also be utilized as a medical evacuation aircraft and help against natural disasters providing wildfire suppression support.”
“Viking has worked with CCC on numerous sales. Their international contracting expertise is essential when it comes to helping Canadian exporters close deals with foreign governments.”
Source: Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC)
Source: http://noticiasenvuelo.faa.mil.ar/
Source: CNW Group/De Havilland Aircraft of Canada
G2G Agreement for Biman Aircraft
In 2020, De Havilland delivered the first of three new Dash 8-400 aircraft ordered by Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd (Biman). The aircraft were ordered under a G2G purchase agreement signed between Biman and CCC in 2018 and joined two Dash 8-400 aircraft that were introduced to Biman’s fleet in 2015 and 2018.
The Dash 8-400 aircraft have allowed Biman to offer high-frequency services within its network of short, domestic routes and longer, international routes. The greater passenger and cargo capacity has also allowed Biman to set itself apart from the competition and optimize its network operations.
Multiple Deals with EU Countries with CCC
Between 2024 and 2025, CCC signed multiple G2G contracts for advanced DHC-515 FIREFIGHTER™ aircraft from De Havilland Canada to several European nations.
These agreements are part of the rescEU Civil Protection Mechanism, which aims to strengthen Europe’s aerial firefighting capacity in response to increasingly severe wildfire seasons. Countries that signed agreements with CCC for De Havilland aircraft include Greece, Spain, France, Portugal, and Croatia.
Each deal includes not only the aircraft but also comprehensive packages covering spare parts, training, and long-term maintenance support. These contracts collectively represent the delivery of 22 aircraft, positioning the DHC-515 as a central component of Europe’s coordinated wildfire response fleet.
These G2G partnerships showcase the strength of Canadian European collaboration in tackling global climate challenges. It also demonstrates how Canadian technology and expertise continue to play a vital role in protecting lives, property, and ecosystems.
Source: De Havilland Aircraft of Canada
Source: De Havilland Aircraft of Canada
Partnership with USAF
In 2025, the company partnered with CCC for a G2G contract with USAF (United States Air Force) to supply a Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft to the government of Guatemala. The aircraft will enable medical evacuation, disaster relief and humanitarian aid operations.
The Twin Otter Classic 300-G is designed for short takeoff and landing operations and is ideal for reaching remote and hard-to-access regions.
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About CCC
The Canadian Commercial Corporation is a federal crown corporation and is only the Canadian agency that offers commercial advocacy, collaborative project development, and international contracting expertise to help Canadian businesses secure contracts with foreign governments at the national, state, and municipal level.
Our International Prime Contractor is a fee-based program where we sign government to government (G2G) contracts with foreign government buyers for the sale of Canadian solutions.
Our U.S. DoD Prime Contractor program is a free program funded by the Government of Canada and supported by the U.S. Government, to help Canadians sell their products, services and solutions to the U.S. military. To learn more about CCC and how we can help you, contact us.
Last updated: November 2025