As part of the renewal and modernization of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s air-to-air refueling capabilities, Airbus has confirmed that the first A330 recently arrived in Spain to undergo conversion into a Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft. The process will be carried out at the facilities of the European aerospace consortium located in the city of Getafe, where the conversion of the remaining two A330s belonging to the Spanish Air and Space Force is also underway.
In 2022, the Canadian Ministry of Defence and the Royal Canadian Air Force confirmed the launch of a plan to renew the country’s strategic airlift and aerial refueling capabilities. While the initial announcement included the acquisition of only two Airbus A330 MRTTs, the scope of the program was later revised and expanded to facilitate the replacement of the aging CC-150 Polaris fleet (a variant of the Airbus A310-300), in service since 1991.
More specifically, with an investment of €2.1 billion, Canada is expanding the original plan to include the purchase of four brand-new Airbus A330s, along with five additional pre-owned A330-200 aircraft, all to be converted into MRTTs at the Getafe facilities in Spain.
As reported in July 2023, the first aircraft recently arrived in Spain to begin its conversion, with the process expected to be completed and the aircraft delivered to the Royal Canadian Air Force by 2027. This aircraft, designated “Husky 006,” is a newly built airframe recently delivered from Airbus’s production plant in Toulouse, France.
According to Airbus, the future fleet will feature both boom and hose-and-drogue refueling systems, as well as advanced countermeasure and self-protection systems. They will also be rapidly configurable for aeromedical evacuation missions using Airbus-provided kits, which include two intensive care units and various types of stretchers.
Lastly, under the schedule set by the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) program, Initial Operational Capability is expected to be reached between 2028 and 2029, while Full Operational Capability is projected for the 2032–2033 timeframe.
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