Question Period Note: Strategic Tanker Transport Capability Project

As part of the Government of Canada’s reaffirmed commitment to invest in Canada’s military, as announced in the 2017 Defence Policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Government launched an open and transparent competition in December 2020 to replace Canada’s CC-150 Polaris fleet — the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) Project.

Notes:

• All questions related to capability gap, security, interoperability requirements and costs should be answered by the Minister of National Defence
• All questions related to the Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy and the assessment of bidders’ impact on Canada’s economic interests should be answered by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

• The Government is advancing work to replace Canada's CC-150 Polaris, which includes an open and transparent competition
  • On December 17, 2020, Canada published a draft Invitation to qualify to solicit comments from industry on the qualification requirements for the upcoming Invitation to quality
  • On February 12, 2021, an Invitation to qualify was published and on April 1, 2021, the result was published with Airbus Defence and Space SA of Madrid, Spain as the sole qualified supplier
  • We are currently working with the qualified supplier to develop a costed proposal for late 2021/early 2022
  • Concurrently, work is underway to asses complementary options, notably the purchase of used aircraft that could see some replacement aircraft delivered on an accelerated time frame

In June 2017, the Government of Canada articulated within the strategic vision of the new Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE) Defence Policy that Canada needs an agile, multi-purpose, combat-ready military. In response to SSE Initiative #47, the STTC Project is the means to recapitalize the next generation strategic air-to-air tanker-transport capability, and replace the CC-150 Polaris fleet.

Aligning with the SSE requirement to enhance interoperability with Canada’s Allies, the Minister of National Defence has a mandate to renew Canada’s strong commitment to the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), acting in multiple theatres simultaneously, while also bolstering disaster relief, search and rescue, contributing to peace operations and capacity building.

The STTC platform will be equipped to support and contribute to these renewed commitments through delivery of Air-to-Air Refueling of Canadian, Allied and Coalition aircraft, strategic Government of Canada transport, aeromedical evacuation, personnel and equipment transport.

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