Defense Minister Anita Anand announced that Canada has finalized an agreement to purchase the first two aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), which will replace and renew the capabilities currently performed by the CC-150 Polaris fleet. Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) fleet.
In 2015, the contract for the purchase and production of two Airbus A330-200 aircraft was awarded to International Air Finance Corporation, worth 102 million dollars (excluding taxes).
Since 1992, CC-150 Polaris aircraft and their crews have provided exceptional service to Canada. Polaris is the in-flight refueling aircraft for most of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s fighter jets, allowing the RCAF to extend its range and operating time. This capability was used extensively at home and abroad, including in Operation Impact, which provided more than 65 million pounds of fuel to coalition aircraft. The Navy also has multiple roles, including soldiers and air cargo; Strategic Transportation of Canadian Government Employees; and medical discharges.
After nearly 30 years of exceptional service, the RCAF looks to the future of this critical capability, and with today’s announcement, we move into the next phase of the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) program.
This project, which is initiative n. 47 of the Canadian Defense Policy, Strong, secure, engaging (SSE), will replace and renew the RCAF’s air-to-air refueling capability for the next generation.
The STTC program, within its currently authorized scope, will receive enough aircraft to deliver three continuous missions to the RCAF to advance Canada’s defense policy, protect Canadians, meet Canadian NORAD and NATO commitments, and help our Canadian Armed Forces continue to contribute overseas. Peace and stability through their activities.
STTC aircraft will be equipped to airlift large numbers of CAF personnel and related equipment to support operations and training activities in Canada’s Arctic regions and around the world, enhancing the existing transport capability provided by the CC-177. The Globemaster and CC-130J Hercules allow for more efficient movement of fleets, personnel and equipment.
As a multi-role aircraft, the STTC aircraft will provide greater flexibility to the RCAF, allowing planners to select the most appropriate aircraft for a specific airlift mission and increase the RCAF’s ability to respond to unforeseen operational requirements such as national emergencies or international ones. or humanitarian relief operations.
The exact number of aircraft in the strategic tanker transport capacity fleet is currently expected to be six aircraft (including these two Airbus A330-200s). These two commercial aircraft will later be modified to military specifications by Airbus Defense and Space to serve as multi-role aircraft within the STTC fleet and will play a key role in air-to-air refueling, strategic airlift, air medicine. Evacuations and strategic transportation
Source and image from Canada’s Department of National Defence
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