The Canadian government has awarded Airbus Defence and Space with a CA$3 billion contract for four newly-built Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) aircraft and for the conversion of five used A330-200s.
Known as the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC), this new fleet of aircraft will replace the ageing CC-150 Polaris (A310 MRTT) operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
The existing A310 fleet is being used to perform air-to-air refuelling operations, military and personnel and cargo airlift, medical evacuations, as well as strategic transport of Canadian government officials.
Mike Schoellhorn, chief executive officer of Airbus Defence and Space, welcomed the announcement saying, “As the world’s most advanced multi-role tanker aircraft, the A330 MRTT perfectly matches Canada’s needs to protect its sovereignty as well as to enhance operations both in the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) as well as in NATO.”
The newly-built A330-200s will be assembled at the A330 aircraft Final Assembly Line in Toulouse, France, prior to their scheduled entry into conversion at A330 MRTT facilities in Getafe, Spain, in mid-2025; the first MRTT will be delivered to the RCAF in 2027.