Mirabel, Quebec — March 30, 2026 — The Government of Canada has officially confirmed a major long-term sustainment effort for its new CC-330 Husky tanker and transport fleet, awarding contracts with a combined initial value of approximately C$1.5 billion (€1.02 billion).

The announcement was made in a March 30, 2026 official news release by the Defence Investment Agency, detailing how the contracts will support the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) future strategic air mobility capabilities.

Government of Canada: Detailed Contract Breakdown

According to the official statement, three separate long-term contracts were awarded to ensure the operational readiness and lifecycle sustainment of the CC-330 Husky fleet:

1. Maintenance and Airworthiness Support

·        Contractor: L3Harris MAS

·        Value: C$735 million (€500 million)

·        Duration: 10 years

·        Scope: Maintenance, airworthiness management, and technical support

2. Materiel and Supply Chain Support

·        Contractor: L3Harris MAS

·        Value: C$366 million (€249 million)

·        Duration: 7 years

·        Scope: Repair, overhaul, and logistics / supply chain services

3. OEM Engineering Support

• Contractor: Airbus Defence and Space
• Value: C$374 million (€255 million)
• Duration: 10 years
• Scope: Manufacturer-specific engineering and airworthiness services

Scope and Strategic Objectives

The Government emphasized that these contracts cover the full spectrum of in-service support, including:

·        Specialized engineering

·        Heavy maintenance and overhaul

·        Spare parts management

·        Regulatory and airworthiness compliance 

The objective is to ensure the fleet remains “safe, reliable and mission-ready” throughout its operational life.

The CC-330 Husky—derived from the Airbus A330 MRTT—is set to replace the aging CC-150 Polaris fleet and will perform missions such as:

·        Air-to-air refuelling

·        Strategic transport

·        Passenger movement

·        Aeromedical evacuation

Industrial and Economic Impact

Beyond operational capability, the Canadian government highlights strong domestic economic benefits:

·        Up to 720 jobs supported across Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta

·        Contribution of approximately C$90 million annually (€61 million/year) to GDP

The contracts are also aligned with Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, reinforcing national aerospace capabilities and supporting NATO spending commitments.

Broader Program Context

The sustainment package is part of the wider Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) program:

·        Total fleet: 9 aircraft (4 new + 5 converted A330s)

·        Acquisition contract (2023): C$3.6 billion (€2.45 billion)

·        Full operational capability expected from 2027

Final Summary (Aggregated View)

While the Government of Canada presents the contracts individually, the combined financial picture is:

• L3Harris MAS (maintenance + logistics):
  C$735M + C$366M = C$1.101B (€749M)
• Airbus Defence and Space (OEM support):
  C$374M (€255M)

➜ Total:  C$1.475 billion ≈ C$1.5 billion (€1.02 billion)

Source: Government of Canada