Canada’s air force will have to wait until the end of next year before it receives the first of four new air tankers crucial for refueling fighter jets in the Arctic. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has provided details on the state of the CC-330 Husky fleet acquired to replace its aging Airbus 310s, which are pivotal in transporting troops and the prime minister globally. However, their primary function as aerial refueling stations is of utmost importance as Canada aims to enhance continental defense.
According to a Department of National Defence spokesperson speaking to CBC News, the initial new aircraft is scheduled for delivery to the RCAF in late 2027. In a significant move in July 2023, Canada procured nine Airbus A330s for around $3.6 billion, comprising five used jets with minimal service from Kuwait Airways and four brand-new planes. The exact number of aircraft set to be delivered by next year was not previously disclosed by the department.
Presently, three of the used Airbus planes have been received in their original airline setup and are being utilized for passenger transport, including for the prime minister. Notably, one of the planes is undergoing scheduled maintenance at Mirabel Airport, while the fourth is undergoing modifications in Switzerland and the fifth in Spain to be converted into an air tanker. The first new-build tanker is undergoing testing in Spain, with the other three in production in Toulouse, France.
The RCAF’s CF-18 fleet and upcoming F-35s rely on air tankers to conduct patrols over the Arctic, as fighter jets consume fuel rapidly and often require air tankers to extend their flight duration and range. This was evident during the FIFA World Cup events in Toronto this summer when an aging air tanker aided CF-18s in prolonged aerial presence over the stadium.
Canada’s new tankers are designed with the necessary boom and hoses to refuel all NATO-equipped aircraft, addressing a deficiency in the aircraft they are replacing. Notably, the new V-VIP Airbus being refitted in Switzerland for the prime minister will feature a “self-protection suite” to enhance its defense against potential missile threats. The suite may include a combination of lasers, flares, and aluminum foil to deter or confuse incoming missiles.
The air force anticipates that plane spotters and foreign governments will take note of the subtle components of the defense system. Initial operational capability for the CC-330 Husky fleet is slated for 2028-29, with full operational capability for all nine aircraft expected by 2032-33. The current jets are stationed in Ottawa, with new facilities under construction in Trenton, Ont., and Edmonton.
The RCAF’s existing fleet of five Airbus A310s, known as the CC-150 Polaris, which originated as Wardair passenger planes in the late 1980s, will remain in service until 2030. One A310 was retired and turned into a museum piece in Trenton, while another was involved in a ground incident in Guam in 2023. The incident, caused by various factors including crew fatigue and a design flaw in the parking brakes, resulted in a collision with a French cargo plane, leading to the write-off of the Canadian jet.