The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) leadership examined a proposal in 2019 to rapidly purchase or lease an interim replacement aircraft for the Snowbirds aerobatic team but ultimately decided against that option, according to government records obtained by the Ottawa Citizen through an access-to-information request.
Background on the Aging Tutor Fleet
The CT-114 Tutor aircraft, which have been in the Canadian Forces inventory since 1963 and used by the Snowbirds since 1971, are increasingly costly to maintain. A 2019 briefing outlined several options to address the aging fleet, including the rapid procurement or lease of an interim RCAF air demonstration capability. However, no specific aircraft models were mentioned in the documents.
Options Considered and Rejected
In addition to the interim replacement proposal, the briefing included options to continue flying fewer Tutors or to employ an existing RCAF aircraft for the aerobatic team. Both of these options were also discounted, according to the records. The documents do not provide reasons for rejecting these alternatives.
Instead, the RCAF leadership decided to embark on a modernization program to upgrade the current Tutors, aiming to keep them flying until 2030. This decision has been costly, with the modernization program recently experiencing price increases.
Political and Public Debate
The future of the Snowbirds has been a topic of debate in the House of Commons, with Conservative MPs claiming the team will be shut down. However, Defence Minister David McGuinty has committed to unveiling the Liberal government's plans for the Snowbirds on May 19 during a visit to their base near Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. He has publicly assured Canadians that they can enjoy the iconic Snowbird formation for generations to come.
Given the Liberal government's announcement of $81.8 billion in defence spending over the next five years, some in the Canadian Forces expect that McGuinty will announce new aircraft for the Snowbirds.
Internal Perspectives
The RCAF views the Snowbirds as a strong contributor to its public relations image. However, some within the Canadian Forces have privately questioned spending on the team, as it does not directly contribute to combat capabilities. This is not the first time alternative aircraft have been suggested; in 2006, RCAF officers proposed replacing Tutors with CF-18 fighter jets. While CF-18s would increase the team's global performance capabilities, they would limit appearances at smaller venues with shorter runways.
The RCAF did not provide comment on why it decided against the various options outlined in the 2019 briefing.
