Purchase of replacement of the Otter aircraft for CAF on ice

The 50-year-old twin-engine aircraft are used in cold weather transport and are long overdue for replacement. However, the prime minister's upgrade of the Challenger jet fleet is proceeding as planned via sole-sourced contract.

Purchase of replacement of the Otter aircraft for CAF on ice
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Described by the DND as "one of the most versatile and resilient aircraft in the world," the RCAF’s CC-138 Twin Otters are "highly adaptable and well suited to the ever-changing northern climate and terrain," the remaining four Otters in the RCAF were slated for retirement by 2025. New planes were set to be delivered by 2027. 

Instead, the DND is looking to extend the lifespan of the aircraft purchased in 1971 as a cost-saving measure.

The deal to buy two jets to replace the Prime Minister's aging Challenger fleet was struck in 2020.

The order of two new jets was placed with Quebec aerospace firm Bombardier in a $105-million sole-sourced contract- including the jets, spare parts and training - after the DND warned the jets could no longer fly to certain countries with outdated technology and navigation instruments.

The Harper government previously retired two of the then four Challengers in the executive fleet, leaving two operational as a cost-cutting measure.

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