Hmmmmm, lets see.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/05/17/afghanistan-050517.html
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/cdnmilitary/kosovo.html
What war might Canada fight in North America?
Fact is, Canada DOES need strategic lift. Somehow, their troops have to get into theater and back. Somehow, that damaged helicopter may need transported back. Somehow you might need to do airdrops (http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123017752 ) of paratroopers, or pallets of supplies into an area that is to hot to land. You might have to fly into an area with NBC contamination, which could even be likely the case in a defense of S. Korea scenario (Something Canada would be part of). If it’s a high intensity conflict a “tank” may very well be exactly what you need to deliver into that theater of operation.
An A310 LACKS the “capabilities” to be a well suited military transport plane. Its inherent design is poorly suited to fill this role. It’s a band-aid fix even for those nations which operate them such as the Germans. Those nations who operate these fantastic economical A310’s as you suggest are left being “forced” to charter planes from the Ukraine to support their mission in Afghanistan because they lack the “capabilities” with their great and fantastic A310. They are crossing their fingers and hoping that someday they might have an A400 which exactly fills that void of a strategic lift platform they currently have. The British lease and I think recently have decided to buy C17’s for a reason. It’s not a “Yank” thing, it’s a “capabilities” thing. There is a reason why the Airbus was fired upon and hit by a MANPADS at BIAP in 2004 and you have 5-7 times as many C17s flying into there and zero have been hit! Because that C-17 has an active protection system incorporating flares and laser cannons to blind and incoming missile (IR) and radar detection systems which show if you’re being locked up, within range and from what direction. An A130? How well can that A310 do air to air refueling if need be?
A C130 is a fantastic platform for inter-theater airlift. He’s a tactical asset that is neither heavy nor a wide body.
An A310 is a makeshift half ass answer to complement a C130.
If Canada does not buy a C17 today then they will buy an A400 in the future. That’s where it’s at. However, an A310 is NOT a long term solution since this platform lacks the “capabilities”. Even those who operate an A310 are looking at replacing them ASAP.
I am not saying their right, while I do see a limited role for commercial freighters. Canada is probably going to buy the C-17 because Ottawa says so, and the military brass will pout.