Strategic Tanker Transport Capability project
Project summary
The Government of Canada is acquiring a new fleet of aircraft to replace the CC-150 Polaris. Known as the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC), this new fleet will conduct multiple tasks such as in-flight refuelling of other aircraft, military personnel and cargo airlift, medical evacuations, and strategic transport of Government of Canada officials.
This new aircraft will improve the flexibility, responsiveness, interoperability with allied nations, communications security, and self-protection of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s current fleet.
The project will acquire an in-service support solution for the aircraft, as well as infrastructure to house and maintain the fleet at the main operating base. Additionally, the project will provide a training and simulation capability to prepare and maintain crew readiness.
Project phases
Currently in Phase 4: Implementation
1. Identification
1. Identification
- N/A
2. Options analysis
2. Options analysis
- The Strategic Tanker Transport Capability Project entered the options analysis phase on March 21, 2018.
3. Definition
3. Definition
- Invitation to Qualify: February 2021
- Publication of qualified supplier list: April 2021
- Virtual Industry Engagement events: June 15, 2021, October 3, 2022, March 15, 2023
- Request for Proposal: May 13, 2022, revised on January 13, 2023
4. Implementation
4. Implementation
- Implementation Phase: 2022-2023
- Initial Operational Capability: 2028-2029
- Final Operational Capability: 2030-2031
5. Close-out
5. Close-out
- Project Close-out: 2030-2031
Learn more about the Defence procurement process.
Additional information
Project updates
Project updates
March 15, 2023
The Government of Canada hosted a virtual Industry Engagement focused on long-term In-Service Support of the STTC fleet.
October 21, 2022
Second Request for Proposal (RFP) for additional used A330-200 aircraft directed to source list suppliers.
October 3, 2022
The Government of Canada hosted a virtual Industry Engagement focused on long-term In-Service Support of the STTC fleet.
June 13, 2022
The Government of Canada awarded a competitive contract, valued at $102M USD (taxes excluded), to International AirFinance Corporation for the procurement and preparation of two used Airbus A330-200.
June 2, 2022
The Government of Canada granted early implementation approval for the procurement and operationalization of two used Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
June 15, 2021
The Government of Canada hosted a virtual Industry Engagement event.
April 1, 2021
Following evaluation of the responses received to the Invitation to Qualify (ITQ), the Government of Canada published the name of the qualified supplier that demonstrated its ability to meet the requirements listed in the ITQ. The company is Airbus Defence and Space SA.
February 12, 2021
The Government of Canada published a final Invitation to Qualify on Buy and Sell for suppliers to qualify for the upcoming procurement process.
December 17, 2020
The Government of Canada published a draft Invitation to Qualify on Buy and Sell to solicit industry feedback.
Industry
Benefiting Canadian Industry
Industrial and regional benefits:
The Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy, including the Value Proposition (VP), applies to the STTC procurement and seeks to leverage economic benefits for Canada equal to the value of the contracts. Through the ITB Policy, the STTC Project will leverage investments and business activities in support of Canada’s VP pillars, including:
- Defence Sector;
- Supplier Development;
- Skills Development and Training;
- Research and Development; and
- Exports.
Additionally, ISED has identified specific key industrial capabilities that align with the STTC program, including, Aerospace Systems and Components, Defence Systems Integration, Advanced Materials, ISS, Training and Simulation and Clean Technologies. ISED will motivate business activities into key industrial capabilities through the selected VP requirements.
The Aboriginal Participation Component (APC) is a mechanism designed to facilitate the Government of Canada’s commitments of advancing aboriginal socio-economic development through federal contracting opportunities, and it was introduced to suppliers through industry engagement opportunities. The APC is a portion of the value of a contract that is set aside for aboriginal participation, which can be direct or indirect (or both).
Technical information
Technical information
N/A
Project costs
Project costs
- The project cost is currently valued between $1 billion – $4.99 billion. Project costs will be refined based on industry feedback as the project advances.
Issues/Risks
Issues/Risks
There are some risks associated with the schedule, namely the volume of work to be accomplished may delay near-term milestones, and infrastructure work may lag equipment delivery. We continue to monitor the situation closely and will update the project page should information change.
Page details
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