The Royal Canadian Air Force also plays a large role in all Canadian deployed operations and is in high demand for NATO, United Nations (UN) peacekeeping, and other coalition missions contributing to international peace and security. Therefore, Royal Canadian Air Force space-based and aviation capabilities must be multipurpose – equally relevant to domestic and international operations, capable of incorporating and adapting to the latest technology, integrated with all of the capabilities in the Canadian Armed Forces, and interoperable with core allies. These missions have often relied heavily on the strategic and tactical air transport capability provided by the C-17 and C-130J fleets. In addition, conducting operations from its bases in Canada, the Royal Canadian Air Force will be able to operate from prepared or austere airfields anywhere in the world with an Air Task Force composed of a range of aircraft types. To continue to meet Canada’s defence needs, the Royal Canadian Air Force must increase interoperability with its key partners and core allies. It will need to sustain existing capacity and continue to acquire modern aerospace capabilities that have an operational advantage in relation to present and future potential adversaries. Future aerospace capabilities must provide for the seamless integration with partners and sharing of information. The Royal Canadian Air Force must be capable of contributing to and exploiting a system-of-systems approach that now defines most modern military forces. Moreover, the effectiveness of the Royal Canadian Air Force requires continued investment in professional development and education programs focused on the theory and practical application of aerospace power, training programs and systems of the highest calibre, and an institutional culture placing the highest value on the maintenance of air safety and airworthiness standards. Taken together, this assures the agility and flexibility of the Air Force. INVESTMENTS IN THE ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 44. Replace the CF-18 fleet with 88 advanced fighter aircraft to improve Canadian Armed Forces air control and air attack capability. 45. Acquire space capabilities meant to improve situational awareness and targeting, including: replacement of the current RADARSAT system to improve the identification and tracking of threats and improve situational awareness of routine traffic in and through Canadian territory; sensors capable of identifying and tracking debris in space that threatens Canadian and allied space-based systems (surveillance of space); and, space-based systems that will enhance and improve tactical narrow- and wide-band communications globally, including throughout Canada’s Arctic region. 46. Acquire new Tactical Integrated Command, Control, and Communications, radio cryptography, and other necessary communications systems. 47. Recapitalize next generation strategic air-toair tanker-transport capability (CC-150 Polaris replacement). 48. Replace utility transport aircraft (CC-138 Twin Otter replacement). 49. Acquire next generation multi-mission aircraft (CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft replacement). 50. Invest in medium altitude remotely piloted systems. 51. Modernize short-range air-to-air missiles (fighter aircraft armament). 52. Upgrade air navigation, management, and control systems. 53. Acquire aircrew training systems. 54. Recapitalize or life-extend existing capabilities in advance of the arrival of next generation platforms. 55. Sustain domestic search and rescue capability, to include life extension of existing systems, acquisition of new platforms, and greater integration with internal and external partners. 56. Operationalize the newly acquired Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue aircraft fleet. 39