Royal Canadian Air Force

Canada finalized a contract with the CAE- and KF Aerospace-led SkyAlyne team to modernize the initial fixed-wing and helicopter RCAF pilot training pipeline.

The sensor upgrade will be installed on the CH-149s as part of the C$1 billion ($734 million) Cormorant Mid-Life Update program.

Acquisitions of new helicopters and airborne early warning aircraft are funded, while other capabilities will be “explored.”

Canada has been one of the NATO alliance members that has been lagging on reaching the alliance defense spending target of 2% of GDP.

Recent and deepening cooperation between Russia and China in the Arctic has underscored Canada’s sense of urgency in building out its ISR and maritime ISR capabilities.

The announcements came during a visit by Defense Minister Bill Blair to CFB Trenton, the main operating base for the CE-145C Vigilance and a hub for CC-330s.

The long-expected contract award will extend MQ-9B operations to deep within the Arctic Circle.

Canada-based CAE Inc. beat analysts’ expectations in the April-to-June quarter.

Ottawa is buying nine MRTT aircraft, which will be designated CC-330 Husky by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

The SkyAlyne partnership between CAE and KF Aerospace was selected over a rival proposal from the Babcock Leonardo Canada Aircrew Training team.

The seizure and aid package was announced on June 10 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a surprise visit to Kyiv.