OTTAWA – The Honourable John McCallum, Minister of National Defence, has announced an $80 million project to modify two Canadian Forces A-310 Airbus (CC-150 Polaris) aircraft with air-to-air refuelling kits. The work will be carried out by the consortium of Airbus Germany and Lufthansa Technik in Dresden, Germany commencing in the fall of 2003.
Strategic air-to-air refuelling is a core capability for the Canadian Forces and the Air Force. It provides efficient, safe and timely intercontinental deployment for our CF-18 fighter aircraft and crews whenever they are called on to support international operations.

   “I am pleased to announce this contract that will provide our Air Force transport and fighter squadrons with the capability to deploy rapidly on operations around the globe,” said Minister McCallum. “Our decision to join the German government, who have embarked on a similar project, has allowed us to save $50 million and reduce the work schedule by three years.”

   The project consists of three distinct contracts: the main aircraft conversion, the provision of additional fuel tanks, and the provision of the refuelling pods. The UK based firm, Flight Refuelling Ltd (FRL), will supply the pods.

   The first CC-150 will depart home base at 437 Transport Squadron, 8 Wing, CFB Trenton for Germany in the autumn of 2003. The work is expected to take eight months to complete. The second aircraft will undergo conversion in 2004 and be ready for service by late fall.
The funding for this initiative is provided for in the December 2001 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.