The Royal Canadian Air Force (CFC, Winnipeg Int'l) (RCAF) has secured two civilian A330-200s for conversion into A330-200(MRTT)s via a USD102 million dollar deal between the Canadian government and the International Airfinance Corporation (IAFC). The pair are the first of six incoming planes that will replace and renew the capability currently provided by five RCAF A310-300s (also known as CC150 Polaris aircraft).

IAFC won the contract for the procurement and preparation of the two A330s that will join the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability fleet. The Canadian government has already outlined plans to acquire a further four multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) aircraft as part of that country's "Strong, Secure, Engaged" defence policy to lock in future air-to-air refuelling capability.

The five RCAF A310s, of which three are MRTTs, are all well into their fourth decade of flying and have flown for the RCAF since the early 1990s. The aircraft type currently provides the bulk of the RCAF's existing air-to-air refuelling capabilities as well as transporting military personnel, and cargo, and conducting medical evacuations.

The two incoming A330s were manufactured in 2015. However, neither the government nor IAFC were available to comment on the jets' exact identities. In 2021, Boeing (BOE, Washington National) was told by the Canadian government that their competing offer, the B767-2C(KC-46A) Pegasus, a militarized variant of the B767, did not meet the RCAF's requirements.

"The Government of Canada is committed to providing the Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment they need at the best value for money. We look forward to accepting these two aircraft as they represent an important first step in eventually replacing the capability currently provided by the CC150 Polaris fleet,” said Canada's defence minister, Anita Anand.

The Canadian government expects the two A330s to enter service in the 2023 Northern Hemisphere winter. The planes are currently configured to fly passengers only and need modification to military specifications. Before the conversion is complete, the aircraft may operate passenger and cargo flights for the RCAF. According to the RCAF's existing agreements, Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) will undertake all necessary modifications.

The Canadian government was not immediately available to comment on the identity of the procured aircraft.