All Royal Canadian Air Force articles
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AnalysisWhich types left use during our latest World Air Forces review?
We detail some of the most notable national fleet retirements recorded in the 12 months since we published our last World Air Forces directory at the end of 2023.
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NewsCanada announces second operating base for new tanker fleet
Ottawa will station a portion of its new Airbus A330-based aerial refuelling fleet at Edmonton International airport in Alberta province, expanding upon the existing tanker base in Trenton, Ontario.
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NewsCAE signs simulator development deal for Canada’s FaCT programme
CAE has signed a roughly $1.7 billion contract linked to the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Future Air Crew Training (FAcT) programme.
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NewsCanada to deploy maritime patrol aircraft to enforce North Korea sanctions
After a meeting in Tokyo between Canadian and Japanese officials, Ottawa agreed to deploy a Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft to support the enforcement of trade sanctions against North Korea.
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NewsCanada begins construction of new quick reaction air base for F-35s
The new quick reaction alert facility at CFB Bagotville in Quebec will support the future deployment of Canada’s forthcoming Lockheed Martin F-35A stealth fighters in support of North American airspace defence missions.
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NewsUS, Canadian fighters intercept Russian and Chinese bombers off Alaska
The joint North American Aerospace Defense Command dispatched fighter aircraft from both the USA and Canada on 24 July to intercept a combined flight of bombers from Russia and China operating in international airspace around Alaska.
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NewsTop Aces’ upgraded A-4 Skyhawks already boosting Canadian CF-18 combat training
Top Aces has delivered its first adversary air training sorties for Canada using Douglas A-4 Skyhawks modified with equipment including an active electronically scanned array radar.
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NewsCanada’s Hawk jet trainers report for retirement duty
Although Ottawa retired the single-engined trainers in March, the Royal Canadian Air Force plans to make continued use of its CT-155s as an instructional platform for new maintenance technicians.
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NewsCanada announces $8bn acquisition of 71 trainer aircraft for RCAF
While Ottawa has not yet selected a new training jet for the instruction of new fighter pilots, the government is contracting for more than 70 smaller turboprops and helicopters under the Future Aircrew Training programme.
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NewsCanada to integrate Smith Myers mobile phone tracking system into search and rescue fleet
UK technology firm Smith Myers will integrate its Artemis mobile phone detection package into Ottawa’s fleet of CH-149 Cormorant search and rescue helicopters as part of a Leonardo-led mid-life upgrade programme.
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AnalysisOttawa touts progress on defence spending despite missing 2% NATO target
The government of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is lauding a C$40 billion plan to boost military spending, particularly in the Arctic region, while downplaying the country’s failure to achieve the NATO standard of committing the equivalent of 2% of gross domestic product toward defence expenditures.
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NewsCanada announces $13.5bn helicopter modernisation plan
Under a new strategy to boost defence spending and modernise the Canadian military, Ottawa will spend some $13.5 billion over 20 years to acquire a new helicopter fleet.
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NewsCanada set to launch search for new trainer to support future F-35A fleet
The Royal Canadian Air Force will start engaging with industry from next month as it starts work towards defining its requirements for a future fighter lead-in trainer to enter service early next decade.
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NewsCanada highlights arctic aviation capability with far-northern drills
During a series of exercises known as Operation Nanook-Nunalivut, the Royal Canadian Air Force highlighted its ability to deliver ground forces and equipment on missions in high latitudes.
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NewsCanada prepares $630m airfield upgrades as part of tanker acquisition
Improvements to runways and hangar facilities will support Ottawa’s planned fleet of nine Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport jets.
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NewsCanada retires Hawk jet trainers without replacements identified
The Royal Canadian Air Force says its fighter training squadron has entered a “period of hiatus” after the service retired its fleet of BAE Systems CT-155 Hawk trainer jets.
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NewsCanada takes delivery of new King Air 350ER-based surveillance aircraft
Under the Manned Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance project, L3Harris will modify three Beechcraft King Air 350ER turboprops with mission packages for service with the Royal Canadian Air Force under the designation CE-145C Vigilance.
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NewsCanada to sunset leased King Air fleet in favour of air force modernisations
The Royal Canadian Air Force is declining to renew leases on two Beechcraft King Air transports, with Ottawa saying the savings will be used to support a sweeping modernisation plan for the service.
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NewsBell secures $1.6bn contract for Canadian CH-146 sustainment
The $1.68 billion deal between Ottawa and Bell Textron Canada will provide maintenance and overhaul support to the Royal Canadian Air Force’s fleet of 82 CH-146 Griffon utility helicopters.
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NewsCanada to obtain 11 MQ-9B SkyGuardian RPAs
Ottawa’s decision to obtain 11 MQ-9Bs is one part of a major overhaul for Canadian airpower.