The first Polaris regulars should soon return from its modifications and testing it will allow the second one to go over to France and start getting its mods done. The first one should be back sooner than later now allowing Canada to return to the strategic refueling business and allowing the new upgraded CF18s to deploy more frequently and quickly to where they can be used.
Just a few replies for some of the ideas that have been thrown out in this thread. First off the MPF were built with the EH101 in mind therefore very minimal requirements would be needed. The H92 is smaller so it is not a big deal and will fit easily. Secondly with the idea to simply build new Seakings, it is a horrible idea for the main reason as it would be extremely cost prohibitive. You just cannot reopen a manufacturing line that has been closed for quite a few years. Even if you could where are you going to get all the parts that you need to keep the Seakings operational? It is already hard enough to find Seaking parts and a Canadian purchase of new builds would hardly get any more parts rolling off the line any time soon. You couldn't expect to operate the exact same Seaking we have now so a redesign would have to take place. So if we bought new Seakings, by the time that the redesign, updates and testing would take many years while the current Seakings just get older and more dangerous.
As for the idea to bypass the C130J and just go for the new "Z" model that idea is just as full of holes. The "Z" model is not even off the drawing board yet, so really it is the same situation as the Seakings. While Canada waits for an aircraft that is the better part of a decade off we use our old Hercs until then. The wait for J models will be as long as the new whitepaper on foreign policy takes. Once it is written the Air Force will know what role it will have to play and the government, like it or not will have to equip them for it.
I also believe that the C130J has tainted some views of how easy it is to simply throw new engines and systems into proven designs and watch how easy they mesh. I say this because your answer to replace the CF18s and the CC115s is to simply build new ones again. The idea to do that with the Buffalos is the same as the Seakings. However, for the CF18 it could actually be done by acquiring the new Super Hornets. That would be a lot easier if Canada had not already invested in the new Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).
The idea for C141s and C5s is also not realistic by any means. The C141 is on its last leg and the C5 is old and not very reliable, but will stay around for the simple reason that there is just no alternative to replace it right now. The more logical conclusion would be to order a small number of C17s and reduce the number of C130J needed to replace the current E/Hs and to be able to deal with outsized cargo without calling the US or leasing spotty Russian planes with drunk flight crew.
A simpler answer for Canada's rotary wing answer for support and cargo is to pick the EH101 for the new maritime helo and then order the support variant to replace the Griffons and in the Army support role. Canada could then streamline their helicopter operations with just the operation of one main type, and save on maintenance and training. As for attack helos, unless the Conservatives are elected to a strong majority government they are a dream.
Concerning the Buffalo replacement the answer should be in a year or so, with the two types competing being the C27J and the C295. Both have their own advantages, the C27J being that it shares the same engine as the C130J. As for the C295 it is a nice aircraft that is a little cheaper, but its main advantage is political as it has Pratt & Whitney Canada engines and all the jobs that come with it. So who really knows which will be chosen in the end there?