Starting later this year, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) will be receiving new runway snow clearing equipment. Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan announced yesterday that Airport Technologies of Southport, Manitoba has been awarded a contract to deliver some new snow equipment, which will be used at six RCAF main operating bases (3 Wing Bagotville, 4 Wing Cold Lake, 8 Wing Trenton, 14 Wing Greenwood, 17 Wing Winnipeg and 19 Wing Comox).
The contract for $24.6 million, is one of three, recently awarded as part of the Snow and Ice Control Capability Recapitalization project. The other two were awarded to Global Ground Support of Olathe, Kansas for $8.1 million and Italian company Fresia s.p.a for $8.9 million.
These contracts will provide the RCAF with 22 runway snow blowers, 27 runway snowplows, 28 towed runway sweepers, and nine aircraft de-icer trucks with an option for three more. The new equipment will replace those that are 30 years old and are reaching the end of life.
Since winter conditions in Canada can last up to six months or more each year, the winter equipment is essential to the operations of RCAF for safe and effective air operations. “This investment will allow our members to safely do the challenging work we ask of them, no matter the weather,” said Minister Sajjan.
The first set of equipment is expected to be delivered in October 2020 at 3 Wing Bagotville and 14 Wing Greenwood.