Ontario Construction News staff writer
Work has officially started on a major construction project at Canadian Forces Base Trenton that will support a new fleet of air-to-air refuelling and transport aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The $850-million project will include extensive upgrades and new buildings built at the base over the next several years. The work is tied to the arrival of Canada’s new CC-330 Husky aircraft, which will eventually replace the aging Polaris fleet.
Upgrades will allow CFB Trenton to become the main eastern hub for the new planes, with room to support up to seven of the large aircraft. A second base in Edmonton will handle up to three more.
The project is expected to create up to 1,000 jobs in the Trenton and Belleville area.
Initial construction will include resurfacing the runway, aprons and taxiways. Crews will also begin preparing for a new hangar, training facility, fuel depot and ramp extension. Work is expected to continue through 2026, with full completion expected by 2033.
Col. Andy Bowser, commander of 8 Wing Trenton, said the project is a major step forward for Canadian air operations.
“These upgrades will ensure our personnel have the facilities and resources they need to operate the CC-330 Husky safely and effectively for decades to come,” he said. “We’re proud to be at the forefront of this transformation.”
The CC-330 Husky will serve a wide range of roles, including long-distance refuelling, cargo and passenger transport, and medical evacuation. Canada is purchasing nine of the aircraft — four new and five used — from Airbus in a contract valued at about $3.6 billion.
The Trenton work is part of a broader federal effort to modernize Canada’s air defence capabilities under a $38.6-billion plan to upgrade NORAD systems.
Trenton is home to much of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s air mobility operations, making it a natural choice for the new tanker fleet’s main base.
Federal officials say the project will strengthen both national security and the local economy.
“Equipping the Canadian Armed Forces to meet the complex challenges of today and tomorrow is a top priority for our government. This project delivers on that commitment—by strengthening our operational capabilities and supporting economic growth and good jobs here in the region,” said David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence. “It’s a clear example of how smart defence investments benefit both national security and local communities.”