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 provided details on the CC-330 Husky fleet, which will replace its aging Airbus 310s. These wide-body jets are vital for the air force’s global operations, transporting troops and the prime minister, but their primary role as aerial refueling stations is key to bolstering continental defense.
As per a Department of National Defense spokesperson’s statement to CBC News, the initial new aircraft delivery is scheduled for late 2027. In July 2023, Canada procured nine Airbus A330s, costing around $3.6 billion, comprising five pre-owned jets with minimal service history from Kuwait Airways and four new planes. The number of new aircraft to be delivered by next year had not been disclosed until now.
Three of the pre-owned Airbus planes have already arrived, still configured for commercial airline use. These jets are currently ferrying passengers, including the prime minister, with one undergoing scheduled maintenance at Mirabel Airport. The fourth aircraft is in Switzerland for interior upgrades and defense system installation, while the fifth is in Spain being converted into an air tanker. The first new-built tanker is undergoing testing in Spain, while the remaining three are under production in Toulouse, France.
The RCAF’s existing fleet of CF-18s and forthcoming F-35s require air tankers for extended Arctic patrols, as fighter jets consume fuel rapidly and rely on air tankers to increase their flight duration and range. This necessity was evident during the FIFA World Cup games in Toronto earlier this year when an aging air tanker supported CF-18s for extended periods over the stadium. The new tankers will be equipped with the necessary boom and hoses to refuel all NATO-compatible aircraft, a feature lacking in the aircraft they are replacing.
Amid recent discussions on threats to world leaders’ aircraft, the air force confirms that the upcoming V-VIP Airbus, currently undergoing refurbishment in Switzerland for the prime minister’s use, will be outfitted with a “self-protection suite” to defend against missile attacks. This defensive system may include lasers, flares, and countermeasure technology designed to thwart incoming missiles, with some components discreetly integrated into the aircraft’s structure.
The air force anticipates that plane enthusiasts and foreign entities will take note of these enhancements and their capabilities. Initial operational capability for the CC-330 Husky fleet is targeted for 2028-29, with full operational readiness for all nine jets expected by 2032-33. The aircraft are currently stationed in Ottawa, with new facilities being constructed in Trenton, Ont., and Edmonton.
The RCAF’s existing fleet of five Airbus A310s, known as the CC-150 Polaris, originated as Wardair passenger jets in the late 1980s. One of these aircraft, which served the last three prime ministers, now resides as a museum exhibit in Trenton. Another A310 was declared unserviceable after an incident in 2023 in Guam, where it rolled back and collided with a parked French cargo plane, resulting in significant damage to both aircraft. The remaining three A310s will remain in service until 2030.