Airbus has been qualified by the Government of Canada as a bidder for the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) project, a procurement process launched to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Airbus A310MRTT (CC-150 Polaris) multirole tanker fleet.
The invitation to qualify, released at the beginning of 2021, has identified Airbus’ A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft as capable of meeting the project’s requirements which now moves to the next stage of the call for tender. A draft request for proposal is expected in the third quarter of 2021.
The STTC program looks to replace the RCAF CC-150 Polaris tanker fleet with a multirole aircraft capable of conducting a wide range of missions including NATO and NORAD operations, ranging from air-to-air refueling to strategic Government of Canada transport and aeromedical evacuation.
“The A330 MRTT is the only new generation, combat-proven, multirole tanker available,” Simon Jacques, President of Airbus Defence and Space Canada, said. “It is certified to operate with the majority of western receivers, including Canada’s current fighters, transport and mission aircraft.
“With more than 250,000 flight hours in service with 13 nations, including key NATO allies and Five Eyes partners such as Australia and the UK.”