Ottawa earmarks $1.5 billion to support RCAF’s new Husky tanker fleet

OTTAWA — The federal government has set aside about $1.5 billion to maintain and service the Royal Canadian Air Force’s new fleet of Husky aircraft.

Canada is acquiring nine CC-330 Husky tanker and transport aircraft — four brand-new, five used — to replace the aging CC-150 Polaris.

The Defence Investment Agency announced three new contracts to support the tankers’ continuous operations — which will include refuelling other aircraft mid-flight and conducting cargo lifts and medical evacuations.

The agency awarded two contracts totalling $1.1 billion to L3Harris MAS for maintenance and equipment support.

A third contract worth $374 million was given to the aircraft’s original manufacturer, Airbus Defence and Space S.A., for engineering support services.

Ottawa says the contracts have helped Canada meet its commitment to the NATO alliance to spend the equivalent of two per cent of GDP on defence annually.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 30, 2026.