The Canadian government has announced plans to buy four Boeing C-17 strategic airlift aircraft in a deal worth around C$5 billion ($4.5 billion). Details on an separate deal to replace the country's ageing Lockheed martin C-130E/H Hercules fleet are expected tomorrow.
A further C$3.3 billion will be spent on maintenance for the C-17s says defence minister Gordon O’Connor.
O'Connor is also expected to announce the purchase of 17 Lockheed Martin C-130J tactical airlift aircraft tomorrow in Quebec City.
The defence minister said acquiring the new aircraft will enhance Canada’s autonomy and sovereignty. “With a strategic airlift capability of our own we will no longer have to borrow from our allies or contract commercial aircraft, two options that come with strings attached,” O’Connor says.