France faced a severe wildfire crisis described by President Emmanuel Macron as the worst since World War II. Criticism arose regarding the government’s preparedness for the fires, with concerns about the insufficient number of Canadair firefighting aircraft. Didou Deyres, the vice-president of the forest fire defense department in Le Porge, emphasized the shortage of these yellow water bombers during the peak of the crisis, which resulted in the destruction of 183 homes in late July.
The lack of firefighting resources led to discussions about collaborating with Canada to enhance the firefighting fleet. The demand for Canadian-made water bombers in Europe has been increasing rapidly due to drought and heatwaves fueling destructive fires. Governments are under pressure to expand their aerial firefighting capabilities to combat the growing wildfire threat.
European countries have ordered 22 new Canadair 515 aircraft from De Havilland Canada since 2022. However, production delays mean that these new planes are not expected to reach European customers until 2028. France, for instance, is slated to receive the second half of its order of four aircraft by 2032, according to the company’s projections.
The Canadair aircraft, known for their efficiency in firefighting operations, are designed to last for decades. They can quickly scoop up water from lakes and other sources before swiftly returning to douse fires. With the recent surge in wildfire incidents, the importance of these aircraft in European firefighting operations has been underscored.
As the demand for water bombers grows, concerns have been raised about De Havilland’s production capacity and the need to modernize manufacturing processes. While the company awaits firm orders to expand production, experts suggest that investing in greater manufacturing capacity is vital to maintain their market dominance.
The competition in the firefighting aircraft sector is intensifying, with European companies and startups developing alternative firefighting solutions. Despite the emerging competition, the Canadair’s proven track record and efficiency remain unmatched. However, industry experts caution that Canada needs to invest in expanding production to meet the escalating global demand for firefighting aircraft.
