It appears three planes destined for Canadian Forces Base Trenton will cost more north of the border, than south.
According to an article in the Ottawa Citizen, the next phase of the purchase of new surveillance aircraft will get underway with bids for the maintenance of the aircraft.
The U.S. Air Force says it will cost them a total of close to $70 million Canadian to purchase the three modified Beechcraft, but according to the Citizen article, the federal government will be purchasing three planes at a cost about $63 million each, or close to $188 million Canadian.
The Department of National Defence says the extra cost includes more powerful engines, a modernized cockpit, two years of field service, a technical data package, and will be able to be maintained by Canadian firms.
The planes, which are to be outfitted with sensors and equipment to intercept cell phone and other electronic transmissions, are expected to arrive in 2022, and will be used by Canadian Special Forces.