The CC-330 Husky is a multi-purpose, long-range aircraft used for military passenger, freight or medical transport.

It will also be equipped for air-to-air refuelling, carrying enough fuel to ferry six CF-188 Hornet fighter aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean, and will eventually support the future CF-35A fighter aircraft fleet.

A Husky aircraft will also be configured to transport government officials and foreign dignitaries, including the Prime Minister, Governor General and members of the Royal Family.

The Government of Canada is acquiring a new fleet of aircraft to replace the CC-150 Polaris. Known as the CC-330 Husky, this new fleet will be comprised of nine aircraft (a mix of four new and five used A330-200), and will conduct multiple tasks such as in-flight refuelling of other aircraft, military personnel and cargo airlift, medical evacuations, and strategic transport of Government of Canada officials.

This new aircraft will improve the flexibility, responsiveness, interoperability with allied nations, communications security, and self-protection of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s current fleet.

The project will acquire an in-service support solution for the aircraft, as well as infrastructure to house and maintain the fleet at the western and eastern main operating bases. Additionally, the project will provide a training and simulation capability to prepare and maintain crew readiness.

CC-330 Husky 

Implementation

  • Project approval of implementation: June 2023
  • Initial Operational Capability: 2028-2029
  • Final Operational Capability: 2032-2033

Project Close-out: 2032-2033

Project costs

The Strategic Tanker Transport Capability acquisition and conversion cost is valued at $3.6 billion. This includes the acquisition and conversion of nine CC-330 Husky aircraft, associated equipment, training capability, integrated logistic support and sustainment.

Acquisition does not include costs associated to infrastructure and long-term in-service support of the CC-330 fleet – these will be refined based on industry feedback as the project advances.

Benefiting Canadian Industry

Industrial and regional benefits:

The Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy, including the Value Proposition (VP), applies to the STTC procurement and seeks to leverage economic benefits for Canada equal to the value of the contracts. Through the ITB Policy, the STTC Project will leverage investments and business activities in support of Canada’s VP pillars, including:

  • Defence Sector;
  • Supplier Development;
  • Skills Development and Training;
  • Research and Development; and
  • Exports.

Additionally, ISED has identified specific key industrial capabilities that align with the STTC program, including, Aerospace Systems and Components, Defence Systems Integration, Advanced Materials, ISS, Training and Simulation and Clean Technologies. ISED will motivate business activities into key industrial capabilities through the selected VP requirements.

The Aboriginal Participation Component (APC) is a mechanism designed to facilitate the Government of Canada’s commitments of advancing aboriginal socio-economic development through federal contracting opportunities, and it was introduced to suppliers through industry engagement opportunities. The APC is a portion of the value of a contract that is set aside for aboriginal participation, which can be direct or indirect (or both).