As France faced its most severe wildfire crisis since World War II, President Emmanuel Macron’s government received criticism for its lack of preparedness for the extensive fires. Amidst the challenges, concerns were raised about Canada’s firefighting resources.
Didou Deyres, the vice-president of the forest fire defense department in Le Porge, highlighted the shortage of Canadairs in France. Despite having 12 of these distinctive yellow water bombers, only seven were operational during the peak of the crisis. Deyres suggested that having more firefighting capabilities earlier could have made a difference in controlling the fires.
While Deyres jokingly mentioned Canada as a target for collaboration to upgrade the planes, the demand for Canadian-made water bombers in Europe is surpassing the production capacity of De Havilland Canada. The European countries have ordered 22 new Canadair 515 aircraft since 2022, but due to production delays, the delivery to European customers is not expected until 2028.
Neil Sweeney, the vice-president of operations at De Havilland Canada, emphasized the crucial role these aircraft play in European firefighting operations. The Canadair planes are designed to last for decades, are highly maneuverable, and capable of quickly scooping water from various sources to combat wildfires effectively.
While the production of Canadair planes was dormant for several years before being revived in 2022, the supply chain challenges have hindered the timely delivery of these aircraft. The pressure on existing fleets and the increasing demand for water bombers have raised concerns about the need for expanding production capacity to meet the market requirements.
Amidst competition from other aerospace companies in Europe developing firefighting aircraft, De Havilland Canada faces the dilemma of whether to expand production without firm orders in hand. The company’s cautious approach is being questioned, with suggestions to invest in modernizing production facilities to maintain its market leadership.
The urgency to enhance production capabilities is underscored by the evolving market dynamics and the potential threats from emerging competitors. As wildfire seasons grow longer and governments strive to bolster their firefighting fleets, De Havilland Canada may need to proactively invest in expanding production to meet the escalating demand for its specialized water bombers.
