By Skies Magazine | March 4, 2024 Estimated reading time 2 minutes, 25 seconds.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has opted not to exercise contract options for the lease of two Air Tindi King Air BE350s, part of a broader effort to reduce costs as it transitions to new fleets.
The Air Force is in the process of a significant modernization effort that includes F-35 fighter jets, P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft, and CC-330 Husky multi-role tanker and transport aircraft. Including upgrades to CH-149 Cormorant search-and-rescue helicopters and CH-146 Griffon tactical helicopters, the RCAF will have 140 new or enhanced airframes on the ramp in the coming years.
“As we proceed with this historic recapitalization of the RCAF, we must focus our investments toward cutting-edge technologies so that we can face the challenges of the future,” RCAF commander LGen Eric Kenny said in a statement on Feb. 29, 2024, explaining the decision.
“As part of our efforts to focus investments, to prioritize Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) reconstitution efforts, and to support the ongoing federal efforts to reduce the federal deficit, the [RCAF] will not exercise its two, one-year options for renewal under the Multi-Engine Utility Flight (MEUF) contract with Air Tindi currently operating out of 8 Wing Trenton.”
The decision will save the Department of National Defence (DND) approximately $3.6 million per option year, or about $7.2 million in total.
According to the federal government’s recently released Main Estimates, DND is facing a budget cut of $810 million in 2024/2025, and could see a cut of $908 million in fiscal 2026/2027.
