Canada, the United States, and Europe are experiencing a challenging wildfire season, prompting calls for increased production of the Canadair “Super Scooper” water bombers. De Havilland, based in Calgary, has resurrected the Canadair production line after acquiring the program from Bombardier. The handcrafted aircraft, with most assembly in Calgary, are set to be completed and delivered in early 2028.
The Canadair amphibious firefighting plane, developed in the 1960s, is specially designed for battling large fires in the Canadian wilderness. Its unique capability to collect water from various water sources swiftly sets it apart from other firefighting aircraft.
Demand for these aircraft is high as Canadian premiers and European leaders seek to replenish their aging fleets amid current shortages. The political pressure on De Havilland to fulfill these demands is evident, with discussions underway to potentially establish a second production line.
Experts emphasize the urgent need for additional Canadair production lines to meet the global demand due to increasing wildfires worldwide. Failure to address this demand could lead to foreign competitors developing their own firefighting aircraft, posing a risk to Canadian manufacturing jobs.
The Canadian government is urged to consider creating a national fleet of modern firefighting aircraft, as highlighted in a recent Senate report. While aerial firefighting units are vital tools, they are not the sole solution to wildfires, with prevention and mitigation efforts also crucial in combating these natural disasters.
