The Government of Canada is acquiring a new fleet of aircraft to replace the CC-150 Polaris , and these are the first visuals of the Canadian Livery on an Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
Known as the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) , this new fleet will conduct multiple tasks, such as in-flight refuelling of other aircraft, military personnel and cargo airlift, medical evacuations, and strategic transport of Government of Canada officials.
In July 2022, the Canadian defense ministry had finalized a contract for the purchase of the first two Airbus A330-200 aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) fleet.
The exact number of aircraft in the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability fleet is currently anticipated to be six aircraft (including these two Airbus A330-200 aircraft).
The two A330s were manufactured in 2015 were bought through International AirFinance Corporation under a $102 million contract.
They will later be modified by Airbus Defence and Space into the Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) configuration required to serve as multirole aircraft within the STTC fleet.
This new aircraft will improve the flexibility, responsiveness, interoperability with allied nations, communications security, and self-protection of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s current fleet.
The project will acquire an in-service support solution for the aircraft, as well as infrastructure to house and maintain the fleet at the main operating base. Additionally, the project will provide a training and simulation capability to prepare and maintain crew readiness.
The Government of Canada awarded a competitive contract, valued at $102M USD (taxes excluded) to International AirFinance Corporation, for the procurement and preparation of two used Airbus A330-200.
The Government of Canada hosted a virtual Industry Engagement event.
Following evaluation of the responses received to the Invitation to Qualify (ITQ), the Government of Canada published the name of the qualified supplier that demonstrated its ability to meet the requirements listed in the ITQ. The company is Airbus Defence and Space SA.
The Government of Canada published a final Invitation to Qualify on Buy and Sell for suppliers to qualify for the upcoming procurement process.
The Government of Canada published a draft Invitation to Qualify on Buy and Sell to solicit industry feedback.
These aircraft may initially be used to perform cargo, troop and passenger airlift operations. This could include, for example, the deployment of CAF troops and gear within Canada or overseas, the movement of civilian passengers in support of humanitarian relief operations, and transport of the Prime Minister, Governor General, and others.
