VICTORIA, British Columbia — The Canadian government has increased the variety of strategic tanker transport aircraft it’s ordering from Airbus because it shores up its contribution to the defense of North America.
Last yr, Canadian officials said they were committing to the acquisition of 4 latest A330 Multi Role Tanker Transports for its fleet, and negotiations were underway with Airbus. Meanwhile, the country acquired two used A330s from International Airfinance Corp., a world aircraft leasing company.
But on July 25, Canadian Defence Minister Anita Anand announced the federal government is buying three more used A330s from International Airfinance, and that it chosen Airbus Defence and Space to convert the now-five used aircraft into strategic tankers.
Canada’s contract with Airbus, which covers delivery of the 4 latest A330s and conversion of the five used aircraft, is price about CA$3.6 billion (U.S. $2.7 billion). The used aircraft are currently configured for long-haul industrial use.
Anand noted that the initiative will allow the Royal Canadian Air Force to reinforce its sovereignty operations, including within the Arctic. It should also strengthen Canada’s air-to-air refueling support for North American Aerospace Defense Command operations and NATO, she added.
“The extra air-to-air refueling initiative is an integral a part of Canada’s investments in NORAD modernization,” Defence Department spokesman Dan LeBouthillier said.
Last yr, the Canadian military found the Airbus A330 was the one aircraft that met its requirements. Consequently, the nation issued a proper request for proposal for the planes to Airbus on May 13, 2022, and negotiations began.
The aircraft will give you the option to refuel current Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 fighter jets in addition to the F-35 aircraft on order, Le Bouthillier said. The tankers will even give you the option to refuel various U.S. military aircraft.
The brand new planes are expected by 2027.
Canada can also be buying a brand new simulator as a part of the identical program, but the federal government didn’t release further details.
“The A330 MRTT perfectly matches Canada’s needs to guard its sovereignty in addition to to reinforce operations each within the North American Aerospace Defence Command in addition to in NATO,” Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, said in a July 25 statement.
The brand new fleet will replace the present CC-150 Polaris aircraft, which have been in operation since 1992.
David Pugliese is the Canada correspondent for Defense News.