Amid France’s severe wildfire crisis, labeled by President Emmanuel Macron as the most extreme since World War II, the government faced criticism for potential lack of readiness. Notably, concerns were raised about the insufficient number of Canadair firefighting aircraft. Didou Deyres, the vice-president of the forest fire defense department in Le Porge, where numerous homes were destroyed by fires, highlighted the shortage of these yellow water bombers. While France owns 12 Canadairs, only seven were operational during the peak of the crisis. Deyres suggested that with more firefighting resources, the outcome might have been different.
The focus then shifted to Canada, with Deyres humorously attributing blame to them. He emphasized the need for collaboration to enhance the firefighting aircraft. The demand for Canadian-made water bombers is escalating in Europe due to drought and recurring heat waves, intensifying the urgency for governments to bolster their aerial firefighting capabilities.
European countries have ordered 22 new Canadair 515 aircraft from De Havilland Canada since 2022. However, production challenges have delayed the delivery of these planes, with the first batch anticipated to reach European customers by 2028. France is projected to receive the second half of its order by 2032. The Canadair aircraft, known for their efficiency and agility in firefighting operations, can swiftly scoop large volumes of water, making them vital assets during crises.
De Havilland Canada’s Neil Sweeney acknowledged the critical role these aircraft play in firefighting efforts across Europe. The company faced obstacles when reviving the Canadair line in 2022 due to the dormant production and the need to rebuild the supply chain. Despite the aircraft’s robust design for long-term service, France has strained its existing fleet by deploying Canadairs extensively during peak fire seasons.
The necessity for De Havilland to expand production capacity to meet the soaring demand is evident. While new competitors are emerging in the firefighting aircraft market, the Canadair’s established reputation remains unmatched. De Havilland is urged to modernize production processes to secure its leading position and respond promptly to the escalating global demand for firefighting aircraft.