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OTTAWA — The Canadian Forces is planning to spend $755-million on a new fleet of aircraft for its Snowbirds aerobatics team, according to documents obtained by Postmedia News.

The Snowbirds will need new planes by 2020 and the Royal Canadian Air Force is now examining various options.

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But the need to replace the Snowbirds comes at a time when the military is making deep cuts and its leadership is putting emphasis on ensuring combat readiness. The coming years will also see the start of multi-billion-dollar equipment projects such as those to acquire new fighter jets and ships.

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The aerobatic aviation team is seen as a key public relations tool for the military. But some in the Canadian Forces have privately questioned spending money on the Snowbirds since it does not directly contribute combat capabilities to the air force.

The Snowbirds fleet of CT-114 Tutors will be retired by December 2020, according to the Royal Canadian Air Force. “Based on this planned retirement date, the RCAF is currently investigating options that would address the continued provision of a Canadian air demonstration capability,” stated an email from the air force.