Canada’s aging fleet of Polaris VIP and transport aircraft are being replaced with nine new Airbus planes, including one to be used specifically for transport of high-ranking government officials.
Defence Minister Anita Anand made the announcement in a statement on Tuesday, nearly three years after the government first pledged to do so amid ongoing mechanical problems.
The replacements are a part of what the government calls the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability Project, with the goal of enhancing the Royal Canadian Air Force’s air mobility and air-to-air refuelling capacity.
Under the project, A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft will replace the CC-150 Polaris, with the fleet being named the CC-330 Husky.
It’s anticipated to have a lifespan of 30 years.
The air force’s main executive jet was grounded in October 2019 after sustaining “significant structural damage” during a hangar accident that month. And last week, a Canadian Polaris “came into contact” with a French military plane on the ground at the Andersen Air Base in Guam.
An investigation into that incident is underway.
The RCAF bought the Polaris fleet in 1992.
Of the nine aircraft making up the CC-330 Husky fleet, four will be new and five will be used craft purchased from the commercial market, according to a release by the department.
At least eight of the planes would be used as “true multi-role aircraft” and provide air-to-air refuelling, as well as strategic airlifts of troops or passenger transport. In addition, where needed, these aircraft could also deliver specialized aeromedical evacuations.
One of the used planes would be utilized to provide secure transport of government officials, but could also be converted into a Multi-Role Tanker Transport as well.