Canada’s air force is set to receive the first of four new air tankers by the end of next year, a crucial addition for refueling fighter jets in the Arctic. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has revealed the status of the CC-330 Husky fleet, which was purchased to replace the aging Airbus 310s that serve as the backbone of the air force’s intercontinental operations, including transporting troops and the prime minister globally.
The Department of National Defence confirmed that the initial delivery of the new aircraft to the RCAF is scheduled for late 2027. In a recent acquisition, Canada procured a total of nine Airbus A330s in July 2023, consisting of five slightly used jets with less than a decade of service from Kuwait Airways and four brand new planes. The exact number of new aircraft to be delivered by the end of next year had not been disclosed until now.
Currently, three of the pre-owned Airbus planes have been received, operating in their original airline configurations. These planes are being utilized for passenger transport, including flights for the prime minister. Notably, one aircraft is undergoing scheduled heavy maintenance at Mirabel Airport, while another is being refitted in Switzerland for specialized aerial refueling capabilities.
The first new-build air tanker is undergoing testing in Spain, with the remaining three new builds in production in Toulouse, France. The air force’s fleet of CF-18s and upcoming F-35s rely on air tankers to extend their patrol duration over the Arctic, as fighter jets consume fuel rapidly during operations. This necessity was exemplified during the recent FIFA World Cup games in Toronto, where an aging air tanker assisted CF-18s in prolonged aerial presence over the stadium.
The new tankers will be equipped with the necessary boom and hoses to refuel all NATO-compatible aircraft, addressing a limitation of the outgoing fleet that lacked a large boom essential for refueling certain aircraft types. Additionally, the new V-VIP Airbus, currently being retrofitted in Switzerland for the prime minister’s use, will feature a “self-protection suite” to enhance aircraft defense against potential missile threats.
The air force anticipates achieving initial operational capability for the CC-330 Husky fleet by 2028-29, with full operational capability for all nine jets expected by 2032-33. The air force’s older fleet of five Airbus A310s, known as the CC-150 Polaris, which have served since the late 1980s, will remain operational until 2030.
