Features
Aerial Firefighting
Greece and Croatia sign deals for De Havilland 515 firefighting aircraft
March 28, 2024 By Wings Staff
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada officially launched its DHC-515 FIREFIGHTER production program in 2022, formerly known as the CL-515 program. De Havilland Canada acquired the Canadair CL program in 2016 and its new facility outside of Calgary in Wheatland County is to be the site of final assembly for the DHC-515. (Image: De Havilland Aircraft) Canadian Commercial Corporation signed two government to government contracts for the sale of DHC-515 FIREFIGHTER aircraft to Greece and Croatia. Building on the foundation of Canadair CL-215 and CL-415 aircraft, the DHC-515 is a new purpose-built aerial firefighting aircraft manufactured by De Havilland Canada.
Greece, through its Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, will acquire seven DHC-515 aircraft, as well as spare parts, training, and support. Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) states the contract is the result of ongoing cooperation between CCC, DHC, the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism (rescEU) and its Member States to supply the EU with Canadian-made firefighting aircraft.
The Hellenic Air Force of Greece currently operates CL-215 and CL-415 aircraft.
“Ahead of last year’s wildfire season, the EU doubled its shared firefighting fleet to include almost 30 firefighting planes and helicopters. This preparation was most visibly proved right in August, when the EU came to Greece’s aid with its largest aerial rescEU operation to date to tackle the largest wildfire ever recorded on our continent,” said Janez Lenarčič, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management. “However, as the impacts of climate breakdown intensify at unprecedented speed, wildfire preparedness across Europe must be further improved. That is why I most strongly welcome the start of the acquisition of new firefighting planes by Greece.”
CCC also reached a deal with the Ministry of the Interior of Croatia for the sale of two DHC-515 aircraft, along with spare parts, training, and maintenance support. Croatia currently operates six CL-415 aircraft and will increase its aerial firefighting program by one-third with the acquisition of these two new DHC-515 aircraft.
“This is a major common achievement, which also proves that only by joining our forces at national, European and global levels, we can efficiently respond to the devastating consequences of climate change, such as wildfires, all with a view to ensuring the safety of our citizens,” said Davor Božinović, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Croatia.
