Airbus CC-330 Husky
(MarcelIX42 Photo)
Royal Canadian Air Force Government of Canada Airbus CC-330 Husky (Serial No. 330002), Hannover Airport, Germany, 2 Oct 2023.
The Airbus CC-330 Husky is an in-development Royal Canadian Air Force version of the Airbus A330 MRTT based on the civilian Airbus A330. Nine aircraft will replace the existing Airbus CC-150 Polaris fleet of five aircraft in the strategic transport and air refuelling roles.
In June 2017, the Canadian Armed Forces and Government of Canada announced their plan to procure a CC-150 Polaris replacement. In July 2022, the Government of Canada announced a deal to acquire two used Airbus A330-200s which would be modified to A330 MRTT configuration, with four more to be acquired later, for a total of six aircraft. In July 2023, the order was increased to nine aircraft, eight of which will be MRTT and one for VIP transportation. Four aircraft will be purchased new from Airbus, with five aircraft purchased used from the commercial market. The aircraft will be located on two bases, one in eastern Canada and one in western Canada. Ottawa International Airport has been selected as the interim operating base for the first two aircraft.
The first of two, ex-Kuwait Airways aircraft, designated (Serial No. 330002) entered service in November 2023 as a VIP and strategic transport aircraft. The second, designated (Serial No. 330003), entered service in February 2024. The tankers will be equipped with both probe and drogue and flying boom refuelling equipment, permitting them to refuel any NATO or allied aircraft, which will also improve NORAD support.
King Charles III arrived and departed Ottawa, Canada on aircraft 330002 during his May 26 and 27, 2025 visit to attend the State Opening of the Parliament of Canada. (Wikipedia)
(MarcelIX42 Photo)
Royal Canadian Air Force Government of Canada Airbus CC-330 Husky, Hannover Airport, Germany, 2 Oct 2023.
(MarcelIX42 Photo)
Royal Canadian Air Force Government of Canada Airbus CC-330 Husky, Hannover Airport, Germany, 2 Oct 2023.
(U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Jimmy Nguyen)
Airbus 002 assigned to the Royal Canadian Air Force taxis after landing at Joint Base Andrews, Md., July 8, 2024. The aircraft’s arrival marked the first of many delegation arrivals to the United States for the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, D.C.