All Royal Canadian Air Force articles
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NewsCanada begins air base upgrades as A330 tanker fleet expands
The C$850 project at CFB Trenton includes resurfacing the existing runway, aprons and taxiways, plus construction of a new hangar, fuel depot, and ramp extension as Ottawa prepares to field a new fleet of Airbus multi-role tanker transports.
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In depthCAE looks to rebuild ‘aerodrome of democracy’ in Canada
As Ottawa looks to re-arm and re-assert its sovereignty, Canadian defence giant CAE says one of the most effective contributions the country can make is to re-occupy its historic role as a training hub for allied aviators.
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NewsAudit projects Canadian F-35 acquisition costs will nearly double
The total cost of acquiring 88 Lockheed Martin F-35As will rise to more than C$33 billion ($24 billion), according to a Canadian government auditor, nearly double the originally estimated C$19 billion.
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NewsCanada reveals designations and livery for new RCAF trainer fleet
At the 2025 CANSEC defence and security conference in Ottawa, the head of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) revealed the names, designations and liveries of the service’s fleet of 71 new trainer aircraft, including single- and multi-engined turboprops and helicopters.
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NewsGlobalEye conversion capacity will rise to four annually, Saab says
Saab has outlined plans to significantly boost its production capacity for the GlobalEye airborne surveillance system.
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In depthUS LC-130s pioneer take-off and landing on frozen lakes
Recent training operations in the Canadian Arctic saw the New York Air National Guard’s unique fleet of Lockheed Martin LC-130 “Skibirds” land on a frozen lake surface, the first time the ski landing gear-equipped transports have operated from freshwater ice, rather than the polar sea ice or snow they typically use.
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In depthCanada outlines role of P-8 and MQ-9B fleets in Arctic defence
The senior Canadian officer at the bi-national North American Aerospace Defence Command says Ottawa’s planned fleet of General Atomics MQ-9B uncrewed aircraft will be used to provide broad surveillance of Canada’s three oceanic coastlines, while the country’s forthcoming Boeing P-8A maritime patrol jets will conduct in-depth investigations of potential threats.
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NewsCanada spins up Griffon replacement plan in move towards ‘balanced fleet concept’
Canada is likely to replace its ageing Bell CH-146 Griffons with multiple new rotorcraft types as it seeks a more “balanced fleet” to address its tactical transport needs.
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NewsSkyAlyne completes orders for new Canadian trainer fleet with King Air 260 deal
The joint-venture company tasked with modernising pilot instruction for the Canadian military has ordered the final airframes for its 71-strong Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) fleet: seven Beechcraft King Air 260s.
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NewsSkyAlyne signs for three new-build Dash 8-400s in support of Canadian trainer recapitalisation effort
The joint venture of CAE and KF Aerospace has signed a contract with airframer De Havilland Canada to acquire three Dash 8-400 aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme, which covers 71 new turboprops and helicopters.
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AnalysisWhich types left use during our latest World Air Forces review?
We detail some of the most notable national fleet retirements recorded in the 12 months since we published our last World Air Forces directory at the end of 2023.
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NewsCanada announces second operating base for new tanker fleet
Ottawa will station a portion of its new Airbus A330-based aerial refuelling fleet at Edmonton International airport in Alberta province, expanding upon the existing tanker base in Trenton, Ontario.
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NewsCAE signs simulator development deal for Canada’s FaCT programme
CAE has signed a roughly $1.7 billion contract linked to the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Future Air Crew Training (FAcT) programme.
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NewsCanada to deploy maritime patrol aircraft to enforce North Korea sanctions
After a meeting in Tokyo between Canadian and Japanese officials, Ottawa agreed to deploy a Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft to support the enforcement of trade sanctions against North Korea.
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NewsCanada begins construction of new quick reaction air base for F-35s
The new quick reaction alert facility at CFB Bagotville in Quebec will support the future deployment of Canada’s forthcoming Lockheed Martin F-35A stealth fighters in support of North American airspace defence missions.
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NewsUS, Canadian fighters intercept Russian and Chinese bombers off Alaska
The joint North American Aerospace Defense Command dispatched fighter aircraft from both the USA and Canada on 24 July to intercept a combined flight of bombers from Russia and China operating in international airspace around Alaska.
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NewsTop Aces’ upgraded A-4 Skyhawks already boosting Canadian CF-18 combat training
Top Aces has delivered its first adversary air training sorties for Canada using Douglas A-4 Skyhawks modified with equipment including an active electronically scanned array radar.
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NewsCanada’s Hawk jet trainers report for retirement duty
Although Ottawa retired the single-engined trainers in March, the Royal Canadian Air Force plans to make continued use of its CT-155s as an instructional platform for new maintenance technicians.
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NewsCanada announces $8bn acquisition of 71 trainer aircraft for RCAF
While Ottawa has not yet selected a new training jet for the instruction of new fighter pilots, the government is contracting for more than 70 smaller turboprops and helicopters under the Future Aircrew Training programme.
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NewsCanada to integrate Smith Myers mobile phone tracking system into search and rescue fleet
UK technology firm Smith Myers will integrate its Artemis mobile phone detection package into Ottawa’s fleet of CH-149 Cormorant search and rescue helicopters as part of a Leonardo-led mid-life upgrade programme.