Canada’s CCC has secured a government-to-government (G2G) deal with France’s defense procurement agency, the DGA, to supply two De Havilland Canada DHC-515 Firefighter aircraft.
Manufactured by De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC), these water bombers will be support by spare parts, training, and ongoing maintenance support.
France has been grappling with increasingly severe wildfires in recent years, largely due to climate change. The new aircraft will significantly boost the country’s firefighting capabilities as extreme weather events become more frequent.
Increased wildfire risks due to climate change has generated a demand for additional aircraft within the EU and globally.
The DHC-515 Firefighter
The Member States of the European Union (EU) currently operate approximately 50 percent of the global fleet of previous iterations of the DHC-515 Firefighter aircraft.
The DHC-515 is a standout in aerial firefighting. It can drop nearly 700,000 liters of water per day – more than double its closest competitor.
This, combined with its ability to refill its tanks in just 12 seconds from various water sources, makes it exceptionally efficient.
Unlike land-based aircraft, the DHC-515 can operate continuously from bodies of water, maximizing its firefighting potential.
Cooperation with France
This deal marks a significant step in the ongoing cooperation between CCC, DHC, and the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism (rescEU) to provide the EU with Canadian-made water bombers.
France is a major market for Canadian goods, and this contract further strengthens the economic ties between the two nations. It is the fourth largest merchandise export market in the European Union. is supporting the purchase of a total of 22 DHC-515 aircraft for several EU countries.
CCC, as Canada’s G2G contracting agency, and Export Development Canada, its export credit agency, are committed to supporting the DHC-515 program.
With a 75-year history of facilitating successful commercial partnerships, CCC ensures that every G2G contract carries the full backing of the Canadian government.
“The DHC-515 represents the best of Canadian aerospace engineering,” said Kim Douglas, VP of business development and marketing at CCC. “We’re proud to help France protect its people from wildfires with this next-generation aircraft.”
Jean-Philippe Côté, vice-president of programs and business improvement at De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, added further comment. “France has a long-standing trust in Canadair aircraft. We’re honored that they’ve chosen the DHC-515 to safeguard their people and property.”
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