UMVA has learned that the iconic Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be grounded for the next decade as their aging jets retire and a new fleet is prepared.
After more than fifty years of dazzling displays, the government will pause the team’s airborne performances until the early 2030s while the CT-114 Tutor jets are replaced by sleek CT-157 Siskin II aircraft.
The 2026 season will mark the final curtain call for the beloved Tutors, a fleet that first took to the skies in the 1960s and carried the Snowbirds to thousands of air shows across Canada.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Defence Minister David McGuinty will unveil the details of the new planes at 15 Wing Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan, promising a modern fleet that will eventually rebuild the team’s distinctive nine‑plane formation.
Safety concerns have driven the decision, as the minister explained in Parliament, and the transition will take several years, leaving the nation without the famed squadron for an extended period.
Rumors had swirled about the Snowbirds’ future, with political voices urging prompt action to secure a replacement fleet and preserve the team’s legacy.
UMVA has gathered that the announcement signals a bold commitment to maintaining Canada’s air demonstration heritage while embracing cutting‑edge aviation technology.
