In other cases, loans are made to other governments. This year the B.C. Ministry of Transport was loaned a howitzer for avalanche control. Dressed off like solders on parade these proud Kiowas each have their own story of a river valley danced or a soldier saved. They are among the aircraft currently for sale. Surplus equipment in good working order is normally sold.
Aircraft make up one of the most profitable sales items.
Whereas ships are usually sold for scrap metal or artificial reefs, planes are where the money is, said Maj Bellini. Surplus operational fleets like the CF-5 have been sold to countries like Botswana, which purchased 16 aircraft. As Botswana did not have a sophisticated fighter fleet before, DND has provided fleet management guidance, explained Ms. Brazeau. Money made from the sales goes back into the system for CF operations. Aircraft that can legally be sold to civilians are first stripped of all military sensitive equipment.