In a landmark event, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (De Havilland Canada) marked the successful conclusion of contract negotiations for 22 new waterbomber aircraft. The celebration brought together leaders from the European Commission, Government of Canada, and EU Member States at De Havilland Canada’s facilities.
The occasion was commemorated with a special presentation. EU Commissioner Janez Lenarčič received a rescEU branded model aircraft.
Other representatives from EU Member States were gifted various De Havilland Canada aircraft models. These gestures symbolized the end of the contract negotiation process and the beginning of a new chapter in firefighting capabilities.
Renamed: Canadair 515
In a notable turn of events, the Canadian manufacturer announced a significant change to their aircraft naming convention.
De Havilland Canada has renamed the DHC-515 Firefighter to the “De Havilland Canadair 515.” This decision pays homage to the aircraft’s rich history and acknowledges its strong reputation in Europe.
Brian Chafe, CEO of De Havilland Canada, explained the reasoning behind the name change. “When wildfires threaten communities in Europe, people ask when the Canadairs will come to help. We’re honoring the Canadair fleet’s legacy of service by renaming the aircraft.”
To showcase the progress of this ambitious project, the manufacturer released a video highlighting the current state of aircraft production. They also unveiled an image of the newly rebranded Canadair 515 aircraft sporting the rescEU livery.
Chafe emphasized the significance of this milestone: “Today marks the transition from discussions to full-scale production. European countries have placed their trust in us, and now it’s our responsibility to deliver these aircraft on time.”
Boosting European Firefighting Capability
The production of these 22 waterbombers represents a crucial step in enhancing Europe’s firefighting capabilities. As climate change continues to increase the risk of wildfires, these specialized aircraft will play a vital role in protecting communities and natural habitats across the continent.
De Havilland Canada, with contract negotiations finalized and production increasing, is ready to make a substantial contribution to wildfire management in Europe.
The Canadair 515, continuing the impressive legacy of its predecessors, will be a formidable weapon in the battle against destructive forest fires.
De Havilland to Date
The company has delivered more than 5,000 aircraft across the globe to date. These aircraft operate reliably in some of the world’s harshest climates. They provide vital connections between rural communities and urban centres. Fleet aircraft now transport essential cargo and millions of passengers annually.
De Havilland aircraft also support a wide variety of special mission operations including aerial firefighting, search and rescue, medical evacuation, reconnaissance, and coastal surveillance.
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