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Local company part of multi-billion dollar military bid

Air Force training contract would last at least 20 years

A Kelowna-based company, which is a major player in the global aviation sector, is hoping to secure a military training contract worth billions of dollars.

KF Aerospace, along with partner CAE from the company SkyAlyne, have been invited by the federal government to provide a proposal for the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program – a next-generation training and in-service support program for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

According to a media release issued by SkyAlyne, the contract will be for at least 20-years and valued in the billions, making it one of the most significant service contracts ever awarded by the Department of National Defence.

KF Aerospace and CAE currently provide the RCAF with pilot training and support via two separate contracted programs located in Southport, MB, and Moose Jaw, SK/Cold Lake, AB, respectively. The RCAF exclusively trains ACSO and AES Op personnel at 17 Wing Winnipeg, however that training will also integrate into the future contracted program.

“SkyAlyne is ready to leverage the world-leading capabilities from two Canadian-founded companies in CAE and KF Aerospace,” said France Hébert, President of SkyAlyne. “With our full team of strategic partners and our experience in successfully delivering both current RCAF programs— as well as similar programs around the world— SkyAlyne will offer the RCAF an innovative, world-class training solution.”

Bidding companies will now have approximately ten months to complete and submit their proposals. Contract award is expected sometime in 2023.

SkyAlyne brings together two Canadian companies with unmatched experience and capabilities in delivering innovative pilot and aircrew training in Canada.

Currently, CAE and KF Aerospace deliver all phases of pilot training to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) through the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) program managed by CAE, and the Contracted Flying Training and Support (CFTS) program managed by KF Aerospace.

Published 2022-03-06 by Glenn Hicks

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