Rising wildfires drive return of Canadair water bomber

October 02, 2025 / 10:35 AM

Sharjah24 - AFP: The Canadair water bomber, first launched in the late 1960s, transformed wildfire response with its unique ability to scoop and drop thousands of liters of water directly onto flames. After decades of service worldwide, demand fell, and production ceased in 2015. Now, with climate change fueling intense wildfires, the aircraft is making a powerful comeback.

Production restarts in Calgary

At De Havilland Canada’s Calgary site, workers are building next-generation versions to meet surging global demand. Orders have already arrived from Europe—including France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Croatia, and Portugal—as well as from across Canada.

Modernising a classic design

Instead of creating a new model, De Havilland opted to update the proven Canadair design. While its iconic silhouette remains unchanged, the cockpit and electronic systems have been fully modernized. Experts estimate global demand could reach 350 aircraft, requiring a decade of production.

“Tractor of the Sky”

Nicknamed the “tractor of the sky,” the Canadair can scoop 6,000 liters of water in just 12 seconds and release it every two minutes if near a source. Pilots praise its efficiency, precision, and reliability in dangerous conditions.

Growing global need

After devastating fire seasons in Europe and North America, experts warn the world may never have enough Canadairs. As summers grow hotter and fire seasons lengthen, the aircraft is once again becoming a cornerstone of global firefighting efforts.