Canada Has Acquired A Fleet Of Strategic Tanker Transport Capabilities (STTCs)

Aerospace and Defense Review | Friday, July 22, 2022

The Government of Canada is dedicated to offering the Canadian Armed Forces the equipment they need at the top value for money.

FREMONT, CA: Defence Minister Anita Anand announced that Canada had finalized a contract to acquire the first two aircraft for the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) that will replace and renew the capability currently fulfilled by the CC-150 Polaris part of the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) fleet.

The contract for procuring and preparing two Airbus A330-200 aircraft, manufactured in 2015, was rewarded to International AirFinance Corporation and is priced at $102M (excluding tax).

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Since 1992, the CC-150 Polaris aircraft & its crews have given excellent service to Canada. The Polaris is the aircraft that gives the big part of air-to-air refueling for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s fighter fleet, enabling the RCAF to extend its range and operating time. This capability has observed extensive use at home and abroad, involving Operation IMPACT, where it delivered more than 65 million pounds of inciting to coalition aircraft. The fleet also achieves many other roles, including military personnel and cargo airlift, strategic Government of Canada personnel transport, and medical evacuations.

After almost 30 years of outstanding service, the RCAF is looking to the future of this crucial capability. With today’s announcement, we are progressing to the next step of the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) project.

This project, Initiative #47 of Canada’s defense policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE), will substitute and renew the RCAF’s air-to-air refilling capability for the next generation.

The STTC project, within its presently approved scope, will obtain sufficient aircraft to give the RCAF three constant lines of tasking to deliver on Canada’s defense policy, defend Canadians, meet Canada’s NORAD and NATO commitments, and enable our Canadian Armed Forces to remain to contribute to peace and stability abroad using their operations.

The STTC aircraft will also be furnished to airlift large numbers of CAF staff and their equipment in support of operations and training proceedings within Canada, along with in Canada’s Arctic regions, and around the world, which will improve the existing transport capacity equipped by the CC-177 Globemaster and CC-130J Hercules fleets, enabling for the more efficient movement of personnel and equipment. In addition, and as a multirole aircraft, the STTC aircraft will provide the RCAF with increased flexibility, enabling planners to choose the most appropriate aircraft for a particular airlift mission, and it will enhance the RCAF’s ability to reply to unexpected operational requirements, like domestic or international emergencies or humanitarian relief missions.

The number of aircraft in the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability fleet is currently anticipated to be six (including these two Airbus A330-200 aircraft). Airbus Defence and Space will later modify these two commercial aircraft to military specifications necessary to serve as multirole aircraft within the STTC fleet.

They will perform an integral role in providing air-to-air refueling, strategic airlift, aeromedical evacuations, and strategic Government of Canada personnel transport, comprising transport of the Prime Minister, Governor General, and others, for decades to come.

“The Government of Canada is dedicated to offering the Canadian Armed Forces the equipment they need at the best value for money. Accordingly, we expect to accepting these two aircraft as they represent an important first step in eventually substituting the capability currently provided by the CC150 Polaris fleet.” -The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence.

The Honorable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada stated, “Offering our Canadian Armed Forces members with safe, modern equipment to protect Canadians is of chief importance. These aircraft will endorse key airlift operations by the Royal Canadian Air Force while furnishing the best value for Canadians.”

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