McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet

Acquisition and the New Fighter Aircraft Program

The competition had a budget of approximately C$2.4 billion for 130 to 150 aircraft, with a mandate for a proven, off-the-shelf design offering substantial industrial benefits to Canada. Initial contenders included several major fighter designs of the era, such as the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, Panavia Tornado, Dassault Mirage F1, the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, and the F/A-18 Hornet. By 1978, the list was narrowed to the F-16 and two versions of the F-18, a naval model and a proposed land-based F-18L variant from Northrop. The final selection in 1980 favoured the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, which was subsequently designated the CF-188 in Canadian service.

The RCAF cited the aircraft's twin-engine reliability as essential for Arctic and over-water patrols, its advanced radar, and its relative affordability compared to larger fighters like the F-14 and F-15. Canada ordered 138 aircraft, comprising 98 single-seat CF-188A and 40 dual-seat CF-188B models, with deliveries occurring between 1982 and 1988. The total capital cost for the procurement was $4 billion in 1982 dollars. The aircraft retained many features from its U.S. Navy origins, including robust landing gear, an arrestor hook, and wing-folding mechanisms, while incorporating minor Canadian-specific modifications like a prominent night identification light on the port side.

Major Upgrade Programs and Modernization

To maintain the CF-18's combat relevance and interoperability with allies, the Department of National Defence has executed several major upgrade programs. The first significant effort was the Incremental Modernization Project (IMP), initiated in 2001 and conducted in two phases over eight years. Its goal was to update 80 selected aircraft from the original F/A-18A/B standard to a capability level akin to the newer U.S. F/A-18C/D models. Phase I, running from 2002 to 2006, focused on core avionics, including replacing the AN/APG-65 radar with the more powerful AN/APG-73, upgrading mission computers, installing new secure radios, and adding a Global Positioning System and Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS). The first Phase I aircraft was delivered in May 2003, with the final delivery occurring at a ceremony in Mirabel, Quebec, in August 2006.

Phase II of the IMP, awarded in 2005 and completed by 2010, added further critical capabilities. These included the Link 16 tactical datalink for secure networking with NATO forces, the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System for pilots, and enhancements to the electronic warfare suite. The total cost for the IMP and concurrent upgrades was approximately C$2.6 billion. Following the IMP, the Hornet Extension Project (HEP) was launched to further extend the fleet's service life. HEP Phase I, applied to 94 aircraft from 2020 to 2023, added systems like Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and new radios to maintain parity with civil and military aviation standards until 2032.

HEP Phase II is a more substantial combat capability upgrade focused on 36 airframes with the longest projected service life. This phase, with initial deliveries expected in 2023 and full operational capability by June 2025, includes the integration of modern active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, the AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missile, and further simulator upgrades. As of February 2025, the RCAF has officially begun equipping the AIM-9X Block II on these upgraded jets. The U.S. Congressional Budget Office estimated the cost of the HEP Phase II package at US$862.3 million. In March 2024, Arcfield Canada was awarded a CA$211.6 million contract for avionics weapons systems sustainment and supply chain support effective April 2024.

Operational Service and Combat Deployments

The CF-18 entered service with 410 Operational Training Unit at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta, in October 1982, with subsequent squadrons standing up at Cold Lake, CFB Bagotville in Quebec, and at CFB Baden-Soellingen in West Germany as part of Canada's NATO commitment. The aircraft's first major combat test came during the Gulf War in 1991 under Operation Friction. Canada deployed 26 CF-18s to Doha, Qatar, where they flew over 5,700 hours on missions including combat air patrols, sweep-and-escort for allied strike packages, and 56 bombing sorties during the ground invasion, primarily using unguided bombs. This deployment marked the first Canadian combat operations since the Korean War.

The CF-18 saw extensive action again in the late 1990s during NATO operations in the Balkans. In the 1999 Kosovo War, 18 Canadian Hornets deployed to Aviano, Italy, flew 678 combat sorties, conducting 10 percent of NATO strike missions. They dropped 397 precision-guided munitions and 171 unguided bombs on targets like airfields and surface-to-air missile sites. In 2011, six CF-18s were deployed to Trapani-Birgi, Sicily, for Operation Mobile, enforcing the United Nations no-fly zone over Libya. Canadian jets flew 946 sorties, dropping 696 laser-guided and GPS-guided bombs. From October 2014 to February 2016, CF-18s participated in Operation Impact, conducting air strikes against ISIL targets in Iraq and Syria.

Domestic and NORAD Roles

Beyond international combat, the CF-18 fulfills vital day-to-day duties for Canadian sovereignty and North American defence. As a key component of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), CF-18s are on constant alert to identify and intercept unknown aircraft approaching Canadian and U.S. airspace. Since 2001, they have responded to nearly 3,000 potential threats. The fighter has also been deployed for major domestic security events, providing air defence for the G8 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, in 2002 under Operation Grizzly and for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver under Operation Podium. In a demonstration of NORAD reciprocity, Canada deployed CF-18s to Alaska in 2007 for two weeks to help defend U.S. airspace while the United States Air Force's primary F-15 fleet was grounded for inspections.

The Royal Canadian Air Force routinely conducts training exercises across Canada to maintain pilot proficiency and operational readiness for the continental defence mission. These exercises include operations out of bases like 19 Wing Comox in British Columbia. The RCAF also maintains the CF-18 Hornet Demonstration Team, which performs aerial manoeuvres at airshows across North America. The team is a regular feature at events such as the Abbotsford International Airshow and the Canadian International Air Show in Toronto. At these events, the team executes a series of low passes, sharp turns, and high-speed manoeuvres. This public demonstration illustrates the aircraft's capabilities to Canadian audiences.

The Long Road to Replacement

The process to replace the CF-18 has been protracted and politically complex, spanning multiple governments. Canada became a partner in the U.S.-led Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program in 1997, signalling early interest in the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. In July 2010, the government formally announced its intent to purchase 65 F-35s, with an initial contract estimate of C$9 billion and deliveries projected to start in 2016. However, concerns over the total lifetime costs, which some reports estimated could reach C$40 billion, led to delays, reviews, and policy changes. Subsequent governments re-examined the decision, considering other aircraft like the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Saab Gripen.

The replacement project, known as the Future Fighter Capability Project, remained active. If negotiations with Lockheed Martin succeed and a contract is finalized, current projections suggest deliveries of the F-35 could begin in 2026, with final delivery expected around 2032. This timeline underscores the critical importance of the ongoing Hornet Extension Project upgrades in bridging the capability gap until the new fighter fleet is fully operational. The CF-18's longevity is a direct result of these sustained modernization investments, which have kept the aircraft interoperable with allies and capable of meeting Canada's defence requirements for far longer than originally anticipated.

Fleet Status and Industrial Impact

From an initial fleet of 138 aircraft, the number of operationally available CF-18s has decreased over time due to attrition and the selection of specific airframes for deep upgrades. The Incremental Modernization Project upgraded 80 jets, and the Hornet Extension Project Phase II is focused on 36 of the most viable airframes. The total program cost for the CF-18, encompassing purchase, upgrades, and maintenance up to 2011, was approximately $11.5 billion in 2011 dollars, with ongoing maintenance costs averaging about $250 million per year over any 20-year period. The aircraft's industrial benefits package was a significant factor in its original selection.

Major upgrade work has been performed by companies like Boeing (which merged with McDonnell Douglas) and L-3 Communications (now part of L3Harris), with key ceremonies for upgraded jet deliveries held in Mirabel and Montreal, Quebec. The sustainment contract awarded to Arcfield Canada in 2024 continues this pattern of domestic industrial involvement. The CF-18's longevity demonstrates the effectiveness of its original design and Canada's sustained investment in modernization, ensuring it remains a capable component of national and allied defence for over 40 years. The extensive upgrade history, from the IMP to the HEP, reflects a consistent strategy to extract maximum value and service life from the initial procurement.

Questions about McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet

What is the difference between a CF-18 and a regular F/A-18?

The CF-18 Hornet is a Royal Canadian Air Force variant of the American F/A-18 Hornet. The original CF-18 as delivered was largely identical to the F/A-18A and B models and retained many carrier-suitable features. The most visible difference is the 0.6-megacandela night identification light mounted on the port side. Another visible difference is the painted 'false canopy' on the aircraft's underside. The CF-18 has undergone unique Canadian upgrade programs like the Incremental Modernization Project and the Hornet Extension Project.

When will Canada's CF-18s be replaced and by what aircraft?

Canada plans to replace the CF-18 fleet with the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. The replacement process has been ongoing since Canada joined the Joint Strike Fighter program in 1997. If a contract is successfully finalized with Lockheed Martin, current projections indicate that deliveries of the new F-35 fighters could begin in 2026. The final delivery of the replacement aircraft is anticipated to be completed around 2032. Until the new fleet is fully operational, the CF-18s are being kept mission-ready through the Hornet Extension Project upgrades.

Have Canada's CF-18s ever been used in combat?

Yes, the Royal Canadian Air Force's CF-18s have seen combat in several international conflicts. They were first deployed in the 1991 Gulf War, flying combat air patrol and bombing missions. They saw extensive action again in 1999 during the Kosovo War, conducting a significant portion of NATO strike sorties. In 2011, CF-18s participated in Operation Mobile, enforcing the no-fly zone over Libya and conducting numerous bombing sorties. Most recently, from 2014 to 2016, they were deployed as part of Operation Impact, conducting air strikes against ISIL targets in Iraq and Syria.

What upgrades are being done to keep the CF-18 flying?

The latest major upgrade effort is the Hornet Extension Project (HEP). HEP Phase I, completed for 94 aircraft by 2023, added systems like Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and new radios to maintain interoperability. HEP Phase II, focused on 36 airframes, is adding significant new combat capabilities. These include new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, integration of the modern AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder air-to-air missile, and upgrades to training simulators. Full operational capability for Phase II is expected by June 2025, ensuring the jets remain effective until the new fighter fleet is delivered.

What role do CF-18s play in North American defence?

The CF-18 is a fundamental part of Canada's contribution to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). The aircraft are on constant alert to identify, intercept, and if necessary, escort unknown or potentially hostile aircraft away from Canadian and United States airspace. Since the terrorist attacks of September 2001, CF-18s have responded to nearly 3,000 such potential threats. They also participate in regular NORAD training exercises and have been temporarily deployed, such as to Alaska in 2007, to assist in defending U.S. airspace when needed.

How many CF-18 Hornets did Canada originally buy and how many are left?

Canada originally purchased a total of 138 CF-18 Hornets, comprising 98 single-seat CF-188A models and 40 dual-seat CF-188B models, with deliveries from 1982 to 1988. The operational fleet size has decreased over four decades due to attrition and accidents. Not all remaining airframes receive the same level of upgrade. The recent Hornet Extension Project Phase II is applying the most extensive new combat upgrades to a core fleet of 36 aircraft identified as having the longest remaining service life, which will form the most capable segment of the fleet until retirement.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Nosy Mag desk. Last updated 2026-10-20.