The European Union (EU) and De Havilland Canada recently reached a crucial agreement that will significantly strengthen the fight against wildfires in Europe. As part of the rescEU program, it was decided to purchase 22 new Canadair 515 amphibious aircraft, formerly DHC-515 Firefighter. This strategic partnership marks a milestone in the EU’s efforts to fight forest fires more effectively and optimize joint crisis management between countries.
The background to this project is the increasing extreme weather conditions and the resulting natural disasters, particularly forest fires, which are becoming increasingly common in many parts of Europe. Countries such as France, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece are regularly affected by large-scale fires, which not only cause great damage to nature, but also threaten human lives and cause economic losses.
The Canadair Brand: A Symbol of Protection
The decision to rename the new model Canadair 515 illustrates the brand’s high level of recognition in Europe. “When people in Europe are near a forest fire, they ask when the Canadairs will come to protect their community,” said Brian Chafe, CEO of De Havilland Canada, in announcing the name change. The term “Canadair” has become synonymous in many European countries with efficient and reliable firefighting aircraft that have been used successfully to fight forest fires for decades.
The Canadair 515, amphibious aircraft capable of taking off and landing on both water and land, represents an evolution of the proven CL-215 and CL-415 models. These aircraft, known for the ability to collect water directly from lakes or Taking them from the sea and dropping them over the fire areas have proven to be an indispensable tool in the fight against forest fires. With the Canadair 515, De Havilland Canada will not offer a more powerful and efficient solution.
Financial and European cooperation
The procurement of the 22 aircraft is fully financed by the EU rescEU program. These programs were launched in 2019 under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, building on this to provide resources to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies. The rescEU fleet will play a key role in supporting national efforts to combat natural disasters over the next few years. The program is intended to fill the gaps when individual member states are overburdened and need additional support.
During the closing ceremony, De Havilland Canada representatives presented EU Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič with a scale model of the Canadair 515 with the rescEU emblem. This symbol not only represents the close cooperation between De Havilland Canada and the EU, but also the common goal of strengthening Europe’s resilience to natural disasters.
More purchases and national aspirations
In addition to joint EU procurement, the English government has also taken independent steps to expand its firefighting capacity. In April 2024, Spain announced the purchase of five more Canadair 515 aircraft for its own needs. These are intended to replace the alternative fleet of CL-215 and CL-415 firefighting aircraft that have been in use for several decades. Spain, which is also participating in the rescEU program, is planning a dual strategy: on the one hand, it will be part of the common European fleet, and on the other hand, it will strengthen its national capacities in order to be able to react flexibly and independently to fires.
Innovation in the fight against forest fires
The Canadair 515 is currently under development and final certification is expected in 2025. But the aircraft is already considered a technological innovation that could set a standard in the field of new firefighting with its improved performance and efficiency. The new generation of amphibious Canadair firefighting aircraft will have an even higher water capacity and will be able to pick up and drop larger amounts of water in a shorter period of time.
The introduction of the Canadair 515 into the fleet of the EU and individual Member States will not only improve the fight against forest fires, but also increase public confidence that authorities and governments are well prepared for future disasters. Given the growing threat of climate change and increasing extreme weather events, this investment is a step in the right direction to protect lives, property and natural resources.
The role of rescEU and the future of disaster management in Europe
The rescEU program is an important tool to improve the EU’s response to natural disasters. With the purchase of the Canadair 515, the capacity to fight forest fires will be significantly strengthened. European cooperation in times of crisis shows that the Union is able to respond quickly to common challenges and support Member States particularly hard hit by natural disasters.
This fleet will play a significant role in the coming decades and help increase security in Europe. Collaboration between De Havilland Canada and the EU could also encourage other countries to enter into similar agreements to improve their firefighting and disaster response capabilities.
The procurement of the Canadair 515 fleet is therefore not only an investment in fire protection, but also a symbol of the cohesion and shared responsibility of the EU member states in dealing with natural disasters.
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