The contracts with Airbus and L3Harris will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul support to Canada’s planned fleet of nine A330-based refuelling aircraft, which are to begin entering service in 2027.
The Canadian government has issued a series of contracts totaling C$1.5 billion ($1 billion) to cover sustainment of its new fleet of aerial refuelling aircraft.
Ottawa revealed the deal on 30 March in Mirabel, Quebec, with senior government ministers joining officials from suppliers Airbus Defence & Space and L3Harris.
A series of three contracts will cover maintenance, repair and overhaul services for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s planned fleet of nine Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport jets, which Canada has designated the CC-330 Husky.
Prime contractor Airbus secured a C$374 million deal to provide 10 years of engineering and airworthiness support, while Mirabel-based L3Harris subsidiary MAS will provide MRO services and airworthiness management for C$1.1 billion, split across two contracts.
“These long-term support contracts will ensure Canada’s CC-330 Husky fleet remains mission-ready and available to respond to evolving threats, safeguard our sovereignty and uphold Canada’s enduring commitments to our allies – whenever and wherever required,” says Canadian defence minister David McGuinty.
Airbus won a C$3.6 billion contract in 2023 under the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability project to supply Canada’s fleet of MRTTs, which will consist of four new-build aircraft and five secondhand A330-200 passenger jets converted by Airbus at the company’s MRTT facility in Getafe, Spain.
The used jets were procured from Kuwait Airways, according to fleet data from aviation analytics company Cirium, and have been serving in a cargo and VIP transport capacity while awaiting conversion by Airbus.
Delivery of the first fully operational tanker aircraft is expected in 2027. Canada currently operates a fleet of A310-300-based multi-purpose transports, designated the CC-150, only two of which are configured for aerial refuelling.
“The strategic air-to-air refuelling and transport aircraft project will provide the Canadian Armed Forces with an expanded fleet of tankers, giving them greater autonomy during operations,” says Lieutenant-General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, commander of the RCAF.
“This will enable us to maintain our operational readiness and enhance our ability to project Canadian air power across the country, as well as fulfill our NORAD and NATO commitments,” she adds.
Speiser-Blanchet has been a champion of RCAF modernisation initiatives, including the now-beleaguered effort to replace the service’s fleet of antiquated Boeing F/A-18A Hornet fighters, which are Canada’s only tactical jet.
Canada is in the midst of generational overhaul of its air force that also includes acquiring fleets of maritime patrol jets, uncrewed reconnaissance aircraft, fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft and replacements of the RCAF’s tactical helicopters, in addition to the tanker acquisition
More than 70 new trainer aircraft of various types are also being fielded, plus a yet-to-be-identified trainer jet to accompany the new fleet of tactical fighters.
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