Portugal strengthens wildfire-fighting capacity with two DHC-515 Firefighter

The Portuguese Air Force (FAP) acquired two DHC-515 Firefighter “water bomber” aircrafts to reinforce its capacity to fight wildfires.

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The purchase contract was signed during the morning of July 18 at the Air Museum, in the presence of the Minister of National Defense, Nuno Melo, the Minister of Internal Administration, Margarida Blasco, and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and National Aeronautical Authority, General João Cartaxo Alves. The first aircraft is expected to be delivered in 2029 and the second in 2030.

The Air Force Chief of Staff highlighted the importance of this acquisition to improve the country’s response to emergencies: “This moment in which we sign the contract for one of the most widely used aircraft in the world to fight wildfires has great significance for the Air Force and for the country, as it marks the construction of the State’s own capacity in the field of aerial combat against wildfires”.

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Margarida Blasco emphasized the importance of these new aircraft for Portugal and Europe, in terms of a rapid and effective response to forest fires. She stressed that this investment of 100 million euros is fundamental to face future challenges in this area.

Portugal is the third country to acquire these aircrafts under the European Union Mechanism, reinforced by the RescEU Program, after Greece and Croatia.

Headquarters and future of the fleet

The two “firefighting” planes will join the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, delivered in November 2023, for the FAP’s mission of fighting wildfires. The future squadron of these two aircraft will be based at Air Base No. 8 in Ovar.

DHC-515 Firefighter features

Building on the exceptional operational capability of the CL-415, the DHC-515 FIREFIGHTER is the next-generation amphibious firefighting aircraft developed by De Havilland Canada, offering significant advantages to operators, including design changes incorporating new materials and corrosion protection to reduce maintenance costs.

For current and future navigation standards, it offers a complete cockpit upgrade with an advanced avionics suite, providing world-class reliability, enhanced safety and unmatched situational awareness.

The DHC-515 can refuel its water tanks in 12 seconds from lakes, rivers or oceans, being the only aircraft of its type certified to operate with waves up to two meters high. It can carry up to a maximum of 6,137 liters of water or 680 liters of retardant foam.