The deal brings together live-fly and synthetic training under one Canadian roof as the RCAF prepares to transition to fifth-generation aircraft.
Top Aces has agreed to acquire Select Global International, a Canadian defence company that delivers simulator-based fighter pilot instruction to the Royal Canadian Air Force. The acquisition combines two complementary training capabilities: Top Aces’ more than 20 years of advanced live-fly operational training and SGI’s high-fidelity synthetic training solutions for CF-18 aircrew.
SGI was founded in 2013 and is staffed by former CF-18 instructor pilots with recent operational and command experience in the RCAF. The combined company will offer a live, virtual and constructive training environment that Top Aces says is directly positioned to support the RCAF’s Operational Training Infrastructure Enterprise Modernization program.
Canada is in the process of transitioning to the F-35, and the acquisition positions Top Aces to support the RCAF’s training requirements as that transition advances. Top Aces also operates the world’s largest fleet of commercially owned tactical fighter aircraft including privately operated F-16s, and is leading an all-Canadian industry team pursuing the OTIEM program alongside Raytheon Canada and CogSim.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.