New aircraft to be procured for the iconic Canadian Forces Snowbirds
May 20, 2026
Global Korean Post
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Over the past 55 years, the Snowbirds have performed over 2,700 air displays for over 140 million people and covered countless kilometres in North America.
Government of Canada announced yesterday a commitment to purchase a future Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) air demonstration capability.
The Department of National Defence will procure the CT-157 Siskin II (Pilatus PC21) for the future Snowbirds team. It too will serve as both a training and air demonstration aircraft. This new capability will be based at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and is expected to be operational in the early 2030s.
After 55 years of air demonstration, 2026 will mark the final season for the CT-114 Tutor aircraft fleet which has served as both a trainer and air demonstration aircraft for more than six decades.
The Canadair CT-114 Tutor was the primary jet trainer for the RCAF from 1963 until 2000. The Snowbirds have flown the Tutor since 1971.
The ‘Snowbirds’ received their name after a “Name the Team” contest was held at the local Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan base elementary school in June of 1971. The Snowbirds’ crest originates from the location of the Snowbirds’ home base in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. As a tribute to their home province, the Snowbirds’ crest displays four “speed birds” (a stylized emblem of a bird in flight) in formation, resembling an ear of wheat. The speed bird is also featured on the bottom of each Snowbird aircraft.
by Global Korean Post
