List of active Canadian military aircraft

Last updated

This list identifies the military aircraft which are currently being operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force. List of aircraft of Canada's air forces includes all aircraft operated by the RCAF and its predecessors, current and past while List of aircraft of the Royal Canadian Navy covers all RCN aircraft.

Contents

Current aircraft

An internal National Defence military readiness report noted that about 40 percent of aircraft in the current inventory could be considered "serviceable" as of early 2025. [1] A 2025 report by the Auditor General of Canada found that one of the RCAF's biggest obstacles was a shortage of both trained fighter pilots and aircraft maintenance technicians. [2]

Airbus CC-150 Polaris
An RCAF CC-150 Polaris refuelling two CF-18 Hornets near CFB Borden CC-150 Polaris tanker refueling two CF-18 Hornets.jpg
An RCAF CC-150 Polaris refuelling two CF-18 Hornets near CFB Borden
Airbus A310 transports purchased in 1992 for use as strategic transports and air-to-air tankers to replace the Boeing CC-137. Two have been converted to tankers and are designated the CC-150T. One is permanently configured for VIP transport; all four aircraft are operated by 437 Squadron based at 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario.
Airbus CC-295 Kingfisher [3]
Twin-turboprop tactical search and rescue aircraft as replacement for the CC-115 Buffalo and older-model C-130H Hercules search and rescue aircraft
BAE Systems CT-155 Hawk
Single-engined lead-in fighter trainer leased in 2000. 17 aircraft in service beginning of 2024, based at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, SK and 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta, announced 'taken out of service as per April 2024
Beechcraft CT-156 Harvard II
Single-engined trainer leased from CAE Inc. to replace the Canadair CT-114 Tutor. 24 aircraft based at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Beechcraft King Air C-90B
Multi-engine training aircraft. Leased to RCAF by Allied Wings, 7 aircraft are based at Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
Boeing CC-177 Globemaster III
An RCAF C-17 Globemaster III at Calgary International Airport RCAF Boeing C-17 CC177704 (7228848484).jpg
An RCAF C-17 Globemaster III at Calgary International Airport
Five strategic airlifters operated by 429 (T) Squadron based at 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario. Four were delivered from 2007 to 2008, a fifth was delivered in 2015. [4]
Bombardier CC-144 Challenger
Utility and VIP transport aircraft first delivered in 1982. Early Challenger 600 and 601 models were supplemented by 604 models in 2002. Four aircraft are operated by 412(T) Sqn and based in Ottawa, but belong to 8 Wing Trenton.
Canadair CT-114 Tutor
Entered service in 1962 as a basic and advanced jet trainer with 190 originally ordered, replaced by the CT-156 Harvard II and CT-155 Hawk in 2000. A total of 26 aircraft remain in service, 24 of which are used by 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, "The Snowbirds". Five are used by Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE) for test support and pilot proficiency flying. [5] [6]
DHC CC-138 Twin Otter
A twin-engined utility transport operated since the 1970s, four remain based at Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, operated by 440 Transport Squadron.
DHC CT-142 Dash 8
Twin-engined converted regional airliner entered service in 1987 as an aerial navigation and tactics trainer, Four are operated by 402 "City of Winnipeg" Sqn and stationed at 17 Wing, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Grob G 120A
Single engine primary trainer used to train pilot candidates before they move onto the Harvard II. Leased to RCAF by KF Defence Programs, 14 aircraft are based at 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. [7]
Lockheed CC-130H Hercules
An RCAF CC-130H Hercules on approach to Winnipeg James Richardson International Airport Lockheed CC-130H Hercules (8111583732) (2).jpg
An RCAF CC-130H Hercules on approach to Winnipeg James Richardson International Airport
Four-engined tactical transport. Several versions have been operated since 1960. Remaining CC-130Hs used for search and rescue and air-to-air refuelling. 12 aircraft remain in service, [7] 4 of which have been converted to air-to-air tankers. Based at 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia, 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario, and 17 Wing, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Lockheed CP-140 Aurora
Four-engined maritime patrol aircraft based on the American Lockheed P-3 Orion; entered service in 1980, 18 aircraft now based at 19 Wing Comox, British Columbia, and 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia. [7]
Lockheed Martin CC-130J Super Hercules
Four-engined tactical airlifter replacing earlier Hercules variants in that role. [8] A total of 17 are in service operated by 436 (T) Squadron based at 8 Wing Trenton. [9]
McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet
An RCAF CF-18 Hornet during the Bagotville Air Show CF18imp2.jpg
An RCAF CF-18 Hornet during the Bagotville Air Show
Fighter entered service in 1982 when 98 single-seat CF-18As and 40 two-seat CF-18Bs were ordered. Seventeen have been lost since 1984. [10] Stationed at 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec and 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta; 60 CF-18As and 25 CF-18Bs remain in active service. [7] [11]
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet (Ex-RAAF)
18 (12 F/A-18A and 6 F/A-18B) have been delivered. Up to seven additional Hornets are also being supplied to be used for spares. [12]

Rotary Wing

AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant
Triple-engined search and rescue helicopter that replaced the CH-113 Labrador. Fifteen delivered between 2000 and 2002. Based at (103 Squadron) 9 Wing Gander, Newfoundland; (413 Squadron) 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia; and (442 Squadron) 19 Wing Comox, British Columbia. Two lost, one aircraft has been lost in a training accident.
Bell CH-139 JetRanger (Model C or III)
Single-engined utility and training helicopter. Ordered for 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School at CFB Portage la Prairie, MB; an older variant (CH-136 - Jetranger A model), was used by Regular Forces in CFB Lahr in Germany and in Canada from 1972 - 1995 which were replaced by CH-146 Griffons. 12 aircraft remain, leased from Allied Wings, used for flight training in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
Bell CH-146 Griffon
An RCAF CH-146 Griffon providing close air support for units of the Afghan Armed Forces, and ISAF CH-146ISAF.jpg
An RCAF CH-146 Griffon providing close air support for units of the Afghan Armed Forces, and ISAF
A utility transport tactical helicopter (UTTH) that entered service between 1995 and 1997. Original purchase of 100 aircraft to replace the CH-136 Kiowa (Bell 206), CH-135 Twin Huey (Bell 212), CH-118 Iroquois (Bell 205), and Boeing C-Model Chinooks CH-47C. Based at Bagotville, Quebec (439 Squadron), St. Hubert, Quebec (438 Squadron), Cold Lake, Alberta (417 Squadron), Gagetown, New Brunswick (403 Squadron), Valcartier, Quebec (430 Squadron), Goose Bay, Newfoundland (444 Squadron), Edmonton, Alberta (408 Squadron), and Borden, Ontario (400 Squadron); also perform search and rescue duties at 8 Wing Trenton (424 Squadron). Deployed to Afghanistan to provide escorts for the Chinooks, armed with a combination of 7.62mm C-6 machine gun, 7.62mm Dillon Aero M134D Gatling gun, and GAU-21 .50 caliber machine gun on one or both doors. [13] [14] [15] 9 ex-RCAF Griffons, designated CT-146, are leased from Allied Wings for pilot training at Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. CT-146 Griffons are painted all black and have RCAF roundel, RCAF wordmark, Canada wordmark and civilian registration numbers.[ importance? ]
Boeing CH-147F Chinook
The CH-147F Chinook is an advanced, multi-mission, medium to heavy-lift helicopter. Its primary mission is the tactical transport of equipment and personnel during domestic or deployed operations. 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, under the command of 1 Wing Kingston, Ontario, and based in CFB Petawawa, Ontario, was re-established as the home of Canadaʼs fleet of 15 CH-147F Chinooks. The first two airframes underwent intensive operational test and evaluation in the United States for several months before Canada received the first airframe 147303 at an official acceptance ceremony at the Ottawa International Airport on 27 June 2013. [16] [17] [18] Fifteen aircraft were initially acquired, but one crashed in 2023. [19] [7] Full operational capability by June 2018. [20] The Auditor General criticized National Defence for "underestimated and understated" the complexity of the purchases of the Chinook, "[t]he way the advance contract notification instrument was applied in the directed procurement of the Chinook helicopters did not comply with the letter or intent of the applicable regulations and policies". [21]
Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone
A CH-148 Cyclone in flight Halifax DSC08302 - CF Cyclone -811 (36286729876) (cropped).jpg
A CH-148 Cyclone in flight
Ship-based transport/anti-submarine helicopter based on the Sikorsky H-92 Superhawk. Twenty-eight ordered to replace the Sea King from 2009. Delays pushed first delivery to 2015. [7] One aircraft was lost in an accident in April 2020. [22]

Leased and contractor aircraft

The Canadian Forces have leased aircraft from vendors to help transport troops and equipment from Canada and other locations in the past decade. Transport aircraft have been leased as required. Despite RCAF marking all aircraft have civilian registration numbers.

Dornier Alpha Jet Type A
16 aircraft are operated by Top Aces for CATS (Contracted Airborne Training Services) and are based at CFB Cold Lake and CFB Bagotville. [23]

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)

RCAF UAS

SAGEM Sperwer
Designated CU-161; entered service in 2003, retired [24]
IAI Heron
3 leased in 2009 for use in Afghanistan; turned over to the Royal Australian Air Force in 2011 [25]

Canadian Army/RCN UAS

BAE Systems Silver Fox
Acquired in 2004 by the Canadian Forces Experimentation Centre [26]
Boeing Insitu ScanEagle
Designated CU-165; operated by the Canadian Army 2008–2014 [24]
Elbit Skylark
Designated CU-168; operated by the Canadian Army [27]
AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven
Operated by the Canadian Army
AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma
Acquired in 2018; operated by the Royal Canadian Navy [28]
Prioria Robotics Maveric
Operated by the Canadian Army [29]
Saab Skeldar
Acquired in 2019; operated by the Royal Canadian Navy and CANSOFCOM [30]
Boeing Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack
Designated CU-172; 5 acquired in 2016, operated by the Canadian Army [24] [31]

Future procurement

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

The Canadian CF-35 is a proposed variant that would differ from the F-35A through the addition of a drogue parachute and may include an F-35B/C-style refuelling probe. [32] [33] In 2012, it was revealed that the CF-35 would employ the same boom refuelling system as the F-35A. [34] Following the 2015 Federal Election the Liberal Party, whose campaign had included a pledge to cancel the F-35 procurement, [35] formed a new government and commenced an open competition to replace the existing CF-18 Hornet. [36] On 28 March 2022, the Government of Canada announced that the competition had placed the F-35A first and planned to buy 88 of them. Under procurement rules, the government entered into negotiations with Lockheed Martin. [37] On 9 January 2023, the government of Canada officially ordered 88 F-35As. [38] [39]

General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian

On 19 December 2023 the Government of Canada announced that a contract was signed for 11 MQ-9B drones, 219 Hellfire missiles, and 12 Mk82 500-pound bombs in a deal worth $2.49 billion CAD. [40] [41] The drones are expected to be first delivered in 2028 with full operation expected in 2033. [41] The drones are to be stationed in 14 Wing Greenwood, N.S. with 55 personnel and with 25 personnel at 19 Wing Comox, B.C. and in Ottawa with 160 staff to control the drones. [42] Personnel will also forward deploy to northern Canada as needed. [42]

Boeing P-8A Poseidon

November 30, 2023 - Canada finalized a government-to-government agreement with the US government for the acquisition of up to 16 P-8A Poseidon aircraft for the RCAF. Fourteen multi-mission aircraft will be procured, with options for up to two additional. [43]

Airbus CC-330 Husky (A330-200) MRTT

In 2022, two ex-Kuwait Airways Airbus A330-200 were selected to be converted as Airbus A330 MRTT to replace the CC-150 Polaris. The two aircraft will arrive in winter 2023 and converted by Airbus Defence and Space (mainly in Spain and repainted in France). [44] On June 19, 2023 a contract was awarded for the acquisition of nine CC-330 Husky aircraft (mix of 4 new and 5 used A330-200), associated equipment, integrated logistic support elements, training simulator(s), and sustainment. [45]

See also

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Brewster, Murray (19 March 2025). "Only 40% of air force inventory ready for action as Canada rethinks its F-35 contract". CBC. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  2. ↑ "Delivering Canada's Future Fighter Jet Capability, Report 2 2025 p. 8" (PDF). Auditor General of Canada. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  3. ↑ "New RCAF search and rescue aircraft to be named "Kingfisher"". Journal Pioneer. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  4. ↑ "Government of Canada Welcomes Increased Air Power for the Royal Canadian Air Force - Canada's Fifth CC-177 Globemaster touches down at 8 Wing Trenton" (Press release). Department of National Defence. 30 March 2015. Archived from the original on 1 April 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  5. ↑ "Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE)". Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame. 15 February 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  6. ↑ "AETE to join testing 'centre of excellence' in Ottawa". Skies Magazine. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "World Air Forces 2018". Flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-09-04.
  8. ↑ Warwick, Graham. "Canada signs $1.4bn contract for 17 Lockheed Martin C-130Js." Archived 2008-03-10 at the Wayback Machine Flight International, 16 January 2008. Retrieved: 17 January 2008.
  9. ↑ "Canadian Forces CC-130 Hercules." Archived 2011-07-06 at the Wayback Machine Ody.ca . Retrieved: 20 March 2011.
  10. ↑ "CF-18 Hornet in Canadian Service." Archived 2013-09-28 at the Wayback Machine ejection-history.org.uk. Retrieved: 26 September 2011.
  11. ↑ "Canadian CF-18 fighter jets to be kept in use until 2025." Archived 2014-10-04 at the Wayback Machine airrecognition.com, 2 October 2014.
  12. ↑ Andrew McLaughlin (2021-05-13). "Canada receives final ex-RAAF F/A-18A/B Hornets". ADBR. Retrieved 2021-05-14.
  13. ↑ "Dillon Aero 7.62 mm M134 Minigun during exercise near Kandahar." Archived 2011-06-09 at the Wayback Machine The Maple Leaf, Vol. 12, No. 9, 4 March 2009. Retrieved: 26 September 2011.
  14. ↑ "Canada Increases Air Capabilities in Afghanistan." DND/CF News, November 2008. Retrieved: 13 March 2009
  15. ↑ [ permanent dead link ]
  16. ↑ "First CH-147F Chinook helicopter welcomed to Canada" (Press release). Department of National Defence. Archived from the original on 2013-06-28. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  17. ↑ "Boeing Completes Delivery of Canadian CH-147F Chinooks Transport Helicopter". Air Recognition. Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  18. ↑ "Boeing delivered CH-147F Chinook Maintenance Trainer to the Royal Canadian Air Force". Air Recognition. Archived from the original on 2015-01-14. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  19. ↑ Pringle, Josh (21 July 2023). "Wreckage of Chinook helicopter recovered from Ottawa River". CTV News. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  20. ↑ "CH-147F Chinook procurement project". Government of Canada. 13 December 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2021– via Canada.ca.
  21. ↑ "FAQ: How Canada procured new military helicopters". CBC News. 26 October 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  22. ↑ Pugliese, David. "RCAF Cyclone helicopter missing, believed to have crashed into the sea off Greek coast". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 2020-11-03.
  23. ↑ "Welcome to Top Aces". Archived from the original on 2019-04-23. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  24. 1 2 3 "Blackjack: Army hits 21 with new ace in the sky". Canadian Army Today. December 4, 2017. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  25. ↑ Orr, Conrad Edward (2016). "Can Unmanned Aircraft Systems Meet Canadian Air Power Needs?". RCAF Journal. 5 (3). Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  26. ↑ "Canadian Forces Purchases Mini UAV System". Defense-aerospace.com. May 4, 2004. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Canada Selects Skylark as its Future Mini-UAV". Defense Industry Daily. October 6, 2006. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Royal Canadian Navy to Field AeroVironment Puma II AE with Mantis i45 Sensor Aboard Coastal Defence Vessels". Bloomberg.com. February 28, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  29. ↑ Mortimer, Gary (August 15, 2010). "Prioria win Canadian defence contract with Maveric MAV". Suas News. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  30. ↑ "QinetiQ Wins C$51m Contract with the Canadian Armed Forces' Unmanned Aircraft System Service program". UMS SKELDAR. 7 May 2019. Archived from the original on 2020-10-20. Retrieved 2020-11-27.
  31. ↑ Ruskin, Brett (July 15, 2016). "Canada's new $14.1M fixed-wing drones are runway free". CBC News. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue Aircraft Replacement Project". Public Works and Government Services Canada. Archived from the original on 2016-09-04. Retrieved 2016-09-09.
  33. ↑ Daly, Brian (1 September 2010). "Harper, Ignatieff spar over fighter jets". Calgary Sun. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  34. ↑ Berthiaume, Lee (20 December 2012). "Military will contract out air-to-air refuelling if Canada goes with F-35". Canada.com. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  35. ↑ "A New Plan For a Strong Middle Class" (PDF). Liberal Party of Canada. 5 October 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 October 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  36. ↑ Drew, James (21 October 2015). "Canadian F-35 exit could signal wider air force review". FlightGlobal.
  37. ↑ Brewster, Murray (28 March 2022). "Liberals launch negotiations to buy F-35 fighter jets". CBC News . Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  38. ↑ Berthiaume, Lee (20 December 2022). "Defence Department gets OK to spend $7 billion on 16 F-35 fighter jets: CP sources". CTV News . Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  39. ↑ Brewster, Murray (9 January 2023). "Federal government inks deal to buy fleet of F-35 fighter jets". CBC News . Archived from the original on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  40. ↑ "Government of Canada Orders the MQ-9B SkyGuardian RPAS from GA-ASI".
  41. 1 2 Brewster, Murray (19 December 2023). "Canadian military buying armed drones for $2.49B". CBC. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  42. 1 2 Coyne, Todd (19 December 2023). "Canadian military to spend $2.5 billion on armed drones". CTV News. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  43. ↑ "Canada purchasing up to 16 P-8A Poseidon Multi Mission Aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force". 30 November 2023.
  44. ↑ Rob Kotsopoulos (15 July 2022). "Canada moves forward with acquisition of first 2 Airbus A330-200s for RCAF future tanker". Skiesmag.com. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  45. ↑ "Strategic Tanker Transport Capability project". 18 December 2020.
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