March 19, 2014 – Ottawa, ON – Department of National Defence (DND)
The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C. M.P for Niagara Falls, Minister of National Defence, together with the Honourable Peter MacKay, Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced Canada is expanding its fleet of upgraded CP-140 Aurora aircraft. Through an existing modernization and life-extension program, four additional Aurora aircraft will gain new and enhanced capabilities and extended service lives. This will expand Canada’s current upgrades fleet to a total of 14 Auroras.
The Aurora program is a Canadian innovation success story, with Canadian industry delivering a world class capability. With new wings and tail, the Auroras will be restored to a “like new” configuration in terms of the critical structural components, extending the structural life to 2030. At that time, Canada will be better placed to buy its next Canadian multi-mission aircraft.
The addition of four more updated Aurora aircraft is Canada’s best means of ensuring effective piloted airborne Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities into the future, and the best use of taxpayer dollars. The four additional aircraft will be modernized and life-extended under the existing competitively-awarded industry contracts. These enhancements and modifications are expected to be completed by 2021, and extend the operational effectiveness of the 14 modernized Aurora aircraft to 2030 from 2020.
Johanna Quinney
Office of the Minister of the Department of National Defence
(613) 996-3100
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: (613) 996-2353
Toll-Free: 1 866 377-0811
