Alberta has allocated $400 million to acquire five additional water bombers for its older firefighting aircraft fleet in the coming years. The agreement with De Havilland Aircraft, based in Calgary, anticipates the delivery of the first amphibious plane by 2031.
The Canadair DHC-515 aircraft has the capability to swiftly collect water from bodies of water and fill its 6,100-litre tank within approximately 12 seconds. Forestry Minister Todd Loewen emphasized the importance of expanding the fleet to replace aging planes and ensure operational readiness.
Separate from the annual $160 million wildfire response budget, Premier Danielle Smith clarified that the $400 million investment is aimed at enhancing the province’s firefighting capabilities. Alberta has witnessed over 1,000 average annual wildfire starts in the past decade, ranking second in Canada after British Columbia.
With 18 air tankers available for wildfire response last year, four of which were owned or contracted by Alberta, the government aims to reinforce the fleet in advance. The purchase is estimated to generate around 1,000 job opportunities and bolster the existing fleet.
De Havilland Canada’s CEO, Brian Chafe, expressed gratitude for the significant order and highlighted the importance of the province’s support. The DHC-515 was introduced in March 2022, with plans to supply 22 aircraft to European clients. Manitoba had previously indicated interest in acquiring three of the same aircraft.
The launch of the DHC-515 addresses the challenges faced by modern aerial firefighters, particularly with the impact of climate change leading to longer and more severe wildfire seasons.