Canada’s air force will have to wait until the end of next year to receive the first of four new air tankers crucial for refueling fighter jets in the Arctic. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has detailed the status of the CC-330 Husky fleet, which was acquired to replace its aging Airbus 310s. These wide-body jets serve as the backbone of the air force’s intercontinental fleet, facilitating the transport of troops and the prime minister globally. However, their primary function as airborne refueling stations is vital as Canada aims to enhance continental defense.
According to a spokesperson from the Department of National Defence, the initial new aircraft is scheduled to be handed over to the RCAF in late 2027. In July 2023, Canada procured nine Airbus A330s for around $3.6 billion, including five used jets with minimal service history from Kuwait Airways and four brand-new planes. The department had not previously disclosed the number of new aircraft expected to be delivered by next year.
Presently, three of the used Airbus planes have arrived and are being utilized in their original passenger configuration, including transporting the prime minister. One aircraft is undergoing scheduled maintenance in Mirabel Airport, while another is being retrofitted with new interior and defense components in Switzerland, and the fifth is in Spain for conversion into an air tanker. The initial new-build tanker is undergoing testing in Spain, with the other three new builds in production in Toulouse, France.
The RCAF’s fleet of CF-18s and upcoming F-35s require air tankers to conduct extended patrols over the Arctic. These fighter jets consume fuel rapidly and frequently cooperate with air tankers to prolong their flight duration and range. The significance of this role was exemplified during the FIFA World Cup events in Toronto this year when an aging air tanker assisted CF-18s in maintaining prolonged airborne presence above the stadium.
The new tankers being introduced will possess the necessary equipment, such as booms and hoses, to refuel all NATO-compatible aircraft. In contrast, the aircraft they are replacing lacked a large boom crucial for aircraft like the C-17 cargo plane and the F-35, predominantly designed for the U.S. Air Force.
Regarding the new V-VIP Airbus jet being refitted in Switzerland for the prime minister, the air force confirms it will feature a “self-protection suite” to enhance defense against potential missile threats. This system may include lasers, flares, and aluminum foil designed to counter incoming missiles. While much of the system’s components will not be visible externally, some noticeable bulges around the aircraft’s skin will indicate its presence. The air force anticipates plane enthusiasts and foreign nations will observe these features and speculate on their capabilities.
The air force projects that the initial operational capability for the CC-330 Husky fleet is slated for 2028-29, with full operational readiness of all nine jets anticipated by 2032-33. Currently stationed in Ottawa, the jets will eventually be relocated to new facilities under construction in Trenton, Ont., and Edmonton.
The RCAF’s existing fleet of five Airbus A310s, also recognized as the CC-150 Polaris, originally served as Wardair passenger aircraft in the late 1980s. While one of the A310s is now a museum exhibit in Trenton, another was written off after a mishap in Guam in 2023. The remaining three A310s will remain in service until 2030.
