CAE and Draken International have partnered to bid for the Canadian Department of National Defence's (DND) contracted airborne training services (CATS) programme.

Upon winning the bid for the ten-year CATS programme, the companies will offer a comprehensive service for adversary and threat training, electronic warfare and target towing operations to the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Navy, and Canadian Army.

CAE Canada vice-president and general manager Mike Greenley said: "Our solution leverages CAE's training systems integration capabilities and Nato Flying Training in Canada experience, and combines this with Draken's world-leading fleet of adversary fighter aircraft and unmatched aggressor training practises.

"The Canadian Forces need to train against future threat aircraft that cannot be replicated without combining actual live-flying fighter aircraft with simulated enhancements.

"Our comprehensive solution will provide a better and more challenging overall training experience for Canada's fighter pilots by providing actual fighter jet adversaries that will look and act like real-world threats."

"Our comprehensive solution will provide a better and more challenging overall training experience for Canada's fighter pilots."

The companies have proposed a fleet of upgraded Douglas A-4 Skyhawk fighter aircraft for the training programme.

Additionally, the proposal covers a research and development programme aimed at developing training capabilities for adversary air training services.

Draken International CEO Jared Isaacman said: "We believe our combined offering with CAE has the ability to revolutionise the combat support provided under the CATS programme in Canada, as well as advance adversary and aggressor air training support globally."

The CATS programme is currently delivered in locations across Canada.

Image: CAE and Draken International have proposed a fleet of upgraded Douglas A-4 Skyhawk fighter aircraft for the training programme. Photo: © 2012 CAE.