As wildfires ravage Canada, the United States, and Europe, there is mounting pressure on the manufacturer of Canadair “Super Scooper” water bombers to ramp up production. De Havilland, based in Calgary, has revived the production of Canadair after taking over the program from Bombardier in 2015.
The iconic Canadair aircraft, known for their hand-built quality and assembly primarily in Calgary, are in high demand. The production line, reinitiated in 2022, is progressing well, with the first two planes set to be completed and delivered by early 2028.
Canadian and European leaders are urgently seeking to acquire these aircraft due to current shortages and aging fleets. Initially developed in the 1960s, the Canadair amphibious firefighting plane was specifically designed for combatting large wildfires in the Canadian wilderness. Its unique capabilities include efficiently scooping water from various sources to douse fires.
The political landscape is intensifying as opposition figures in France and Spain criticize their governments for insufficient operational Canadairs, leading to concerns about wildfire preparedness. Provincial leaders in Canada, such as Manitoba’s Wab Kinew, have expressed frustration over the lack of new water bombers in recent years.
De Havilland is under pressure to meet the soaring demand for Canadair aircraft. The company is contemplating establishing a second production line to meet the needs of provincial and federal governments. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is advocating for a substantial order from Ottawa to support De Havilland in expanding production.
The current production capacity allows for the manufacture of about 10 water bombers annually, with plans to double output with a second production line. Despite having existing orders for 38 aircraft, delivery timelines extend to 2032-2033 due to the complexity of production involving thousands of parts, predominantly sourced from Canada.
Experts emphasize the urgent need for additional production lines to meet global demand for Canadairs in combating wildfires. The looming threat of foreign competition developing rival firefighting aircraft poses a risk to Canadian manufacturing jobs and underscores the importance of enhancing domestic production capabilities.
Amid calls for a national fleet of modern firefighting aircraft in Canada, federal efforts have included leasing airplanes and helicopters to support wildfire management. While aerial firefighting units play a crucial role in wildfire containment, they are just one component of a comprehensive strategy that includes prevention and mitigation efforts.
The federal government remains committed to enhancing wildfire response capabilities and collaborating with provincial and territorial authorities to address the escalating challenges posed by wildfires.