Amid an intense wildfire season in Canada, the United States, and Europe, there is mounting pressure on De Havilland, the manufacturer of the Canadair “Super Scooper” water bombers, to ramp up production. Additionally, there are calls for the federal government to place a bulk order for these planes.
De Havilland, based in Calgary, has decided to restart production of the Canadair after acquiring the water bomber program. Previously, Bombardier had been producing these aircraft until 2015. The Canadair planes, renowned worldwide, are meticulously handcrafted in Calgary using parts sourced from various locations across Canada. The revival of the production line was announced in 2022, and progress is evident as the first two aircraft are currently under construction and are expected to be finished and delivered by early 2028.
Leaders in Canada and Europe are urgently seeking to acquire these aircraft due to existing shortages and aging fleets. The Canadair amphibious firefighting plane, originating from the 1960s, was specifically designed for combatting extensive fires in the Canadian wilderness. Its exceptional design enables it to maneuver through narrow canyons at low altitudes and swiftly scoop up thousands of liters of water from lakes, rivers, and oceans.
Recent criticism from opposition politicians in France and Spain has highlighted the inadequacy of operational Canadairs, leading to concerns about the readiness to combat extreme weather conditions and wildfires. Various provincial premiers have expressed disappointment over the lack of new water bombers in consecutive summers. The high demand for these aircraft has prompted discussions about potentially establishing a second production line to meet the market needs.
De Havilland, a company with a workforce of approximately 4,000 employees mainly in Calgary, Ontario, and Victoria, currently has the capacity to manufacture around 10 water bombers annually. Plans for a second production line are being evaluated to increase the output to 20 planes per year. Presently, the company has orders for 38 water bombers, with new orders expected to be delivered between 2032 and 2033 due to the intricate production process involving tens of thousands of parts, the majority of which are sourced domestically.
There is a growing consensus among experts, like John Gradek from McGill University, that the demand for Canadairs necessitates the establishment of additional production lines. With global demand escalating due to climate change impacts, the need for more firefighting aircraft is paramount. The potential emergence of foreign competitors developing similar aircraft poses a threat to Canadian manufacturing jobs.
In response to the escalating demand for water bombers, De Havilland is contemplating expanding production capabilities to avoid losing market share to foreign competitors. The federal government’s focus on enhancing the national economy and supporting domestic manufacturing aligns with the need to secure Canada’s position as a leader in firefighting aircraft production.
A Senate report released in June has recommended the creation of a national fleet of modern firefighting aircraft to address the growing wildfire crisis in Canada. While the federal government has leased 10 airplanes and helicopters to assist provincial wildfire crews this summer, the demand for these aerial firefighting units remains high. Aircraft play a crucial role in mitigating wildfires by slowing their spread, establishing perimeters, and reducing heat to aid ground crews. However, they are not a standalone solution, and comprehensive wildfire prevention and mitigation strategies are vital.
The commitment of the federal government to enhancing Canada’s capacity to respond to intensifying wildfire seasons underscores the importance of collaboration among federal, provincial, and territorial authorities to effectively address the wildfire threat.