As France grappled with what President Emmanuel Macron referred to as its most severe wildfire crisis since World War II, questions arose about the government’s readiness for the large-scale fires. Amidst this, an unexpected focus turned towards Canada.

Didou Deyres, the vice-president of the forest fire defense department in Le Porge, where 183 homes were destroyed in late July, expressed concerns about the insufficient number of Canadair firefighting aircraft available. France possesses 12 of these distinctive yellow water bombers, but during the peak of the crisis, only seven were operational.

Deyres suggested that if more firefighting resources had been promptly deployed, the outcome might have been different. Jokingly pointing blame at Canada, he emphasized the need for collaboration to upgrade the aircraft.

The demand for Canadian-made water bombers is surging across Europe due to droughts and successive heatwaves fueling devastating fires. This has intensified the pressure on governments to enhance their aerial firefighting capabilities.

Although European countries have ordered 22 new Canadair 515 aircraft since 2022, production delays mean the first deliveries are not expected until 2028. France may have to wait until 2032 to receive the second half of its order.

The Canadair planes, known for their efficiency in firefighting operations, are crucial assets that can swiftly collect water from various sources and combat fires effectively. Neil Sweeney, De Havilland Canada’s vice-president of operations, emphasized the aircraft’s pivotal role in European firefighting efforts.

The resurgence of the Canadair line in 2022 came after a period of dormancy following Bombardier’s halt in production in 2015. The lengthy process of re-establishing the supply chain for the specialized aircraft components has posed challenges for De Havilland.

While De Havilland is cautious about expanding production without firm orders, experts like John Gradek suggest that proactive steps are needed to meet the escalating demand. They argue that investing in enhanced manufacturing capacity is essential to sustain Canada’s dominance in the firefighting aircraft market.

With emerging competition from European aerospace companies and startups developing rival firefighting aircraft, De Havilland faces a narrowing window to solidify its position. The company’s decision-making process regarding production expansion will significantly impact its future in the increasingly competitive market.