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A Royal Australian Air Drive A330 MRTT (Airbus)
WASHINGTON — Canada’s Nationwide Defence Division introduced as we speak that it has awarded a contract to Airbus for a complete of 9 plane to modernize its refueling fleet, a $3.6 billion CAN ($2.7 billion US) deal that ought to see supply of the primary jet to the nation inside months.
“As autocratic regimes threaten the rules-based worldwide order, there’s a urgent must modernize the capabilities of the Royal Canadian Air Drive in help of North Atlantic Treaty Group and North American Aerospace Protection Command operations,” Canadian Minister of Nationwide Defence Anita Anand stated in an announcement.
“The Strategic Tanker Transport Functionality introduced ahead as we speak with the contract award for renewed air-to-air refueling, strategic transport and aeromedical evacuation capabilities, will ship trendy gear for our Canadian Armed Forces, who put their lives on the road each single day to defend our shared continent with the US, and help our allies in time of want,” she added.
The contract covers the brand new construct of 4 A330 MRTTs and the navy conversion of 5 used A330-200 plane, a choice the Canadian authorities stated saved the nation’s taxpayers thousands and thousands.
4 of the used plane are set for use as refuelers, whereas the fifth — the primary destined for supply later this summer time — will initially transport high-ranking authorities officers and will tackle the tanker mission later. The second used plane is anticipated within the fall, with the following three to observe subsequent 12 months, based on a abstract compiled by Canada’s Defence Division.
An Airbus press launch additional said the primary of the newly-built tankers will probably be delivered in 2027 and that every one MRTTs will characteristic each a hose and drogue and growth for refueling.
The tankers will exchange the Royal Canadian Air Drive’s getting old CC-150 Polaris fleet to offer refueling, cargo and passenger transport and aeromedical evacuation. Whereas Canada operates 5 CC-150s, solely two of them are able to refueling. Which means the NATO member’s mid-air refueling capability is about to quadruple with the brand new settlement.
Canada had beforehand thought-about Boeing’s KC-46 for the position however reportedly dropped the corporate’s tanker from consideration in 2021, subsequently issuing a request for proposals to Airbus in Could 2022. The nation’s forthcoming tankers will probably be designated the CC-330 Husky.
Airbus is presently pitching the A330 MRTT in partnership with Lockheed Martin to the US Air Drive because the LMXT, although officers have said they’re leaning towards extra purchases of Boeing’s KC-46A to proceed recapitalizing America’s present KC-135 Stratotanker tanker fleet.
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