Canada has announced an investment to modernize the Trenton armed forces base in Quinte West, which will house the country’s new CC-330 Husky strategic tanker/transport aircraft fleet.
The project, valued at 850 million Canadian dollars ($630 million), will cover major upgrades across the installation’s airfield and establishments and construct a two-bay hangar and other supporting infrastructure.
Once completed, the base will serve as the Eastern Main Operating Base for the nine CC-330s being acquired for the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The first two aircraft under the program entered into service in November 2023 and February 2024, respectively.
“The threat to Canada’s sovereignty and interests abroad, created by competition for global power and advancing technologies, remains as significant now as any time in our history,” Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Eric Kenny stated.
“The Royal Canadian Air Force must be ready to answer when our nation calls with a mission-ready, well-equipped, and combat-capable force.”
“These investments will help build a world-class [Royal Canadian Air Force] that will continue to meet Canada’s air and space defence requirements for years to come as an agile, integrated and inclusive air and space force.”
New Spy Plane Arrives
Simultaneously, the government welcomed the first of three new CE-145C Vigilance manned airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (MAISR) aircraft for the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command.
Based on the Beechcraft King Air 359ER turboprop system, these spy planes incorporate advanced communications and sensor technologies to maintain situational awareness and decision-making.
Supporting Economic Growth
Ottawa wrote that the CC-330 program has the potential to boost the local economy by creating and sustaining over 1,500 jobs and contributing about 145 million Canadian dollars ($108 million) annually to the country’s gross domestic product throughout the contract.
Meanwhile, the MAISR acquisition and maintenance works can create and support approximately 65 employment opportunities and contribute about 7.5 million Canadian dollars ($5.6 million) to the government annually.
Expanding Canadian Fleet
Alongside the CC-330 and CE-145C fleets, Canada is developing other programs to commission new aerial assets for its armed forces.
These include procuring 88 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, up to 16 P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, 11 SkyGuardian drones, and the mixed acquisition and upgrades of up to 16 CH-149 Cormorant helicopters.
