Canada To Buy American MIDS-JTRS Radios For CF-18 Fighters, CC-130J Aircraft

The US State Department Tuesday cleared Canada’s request to acquire Multifunctional Information Distribution System - Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS-JTRS), commonly known as American radios, to upgrade its fleet of CF-18 fighter jets and CC-130Jmilitary transport aircraft.

“The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Canada of one hundred fifty-two (152) MIDS-JTRS (5) with support for an estimated cost of $44 million,” Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement Tuesday.

Canada intends to upgrade its current inventory of CF-18 Aircraft, CC-130J, and the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Ground Stations with the purchase of these MIDS JTRS (5) terminals to be fully interoperable with US and allied forces to support and compliment joint operations in a net-enabled environment; have modernized electronic protection and secure, jam-resistant wave forms; and be capable of improved Link 16 message exchange and information fidelity including support to advanced weapon employment, the statement read.

The Government of Canada had requested to buy one hundred fifty-two (152) MIDS JTRS (5) with Remote Power Supply.  Also included are spare cables and MIDS batteries; Link-16 mobile racks; diagnostic support tools; technical documentation; training and engineering technical support; and other related elements of logistics and program support.