Aviation News – Canada and the European Union are preparing to announce a joint procurement of 50 De Havilland water bombers to strengthen transatlantic aerial firefighting capabilities. The initiative aims to deploy the specialized amphibious aircraft across both regions starting in 2030 to combat worsening seasonal wildfire threats.
According to a draft joint statement obtained by Politico Europe, the deal will be formally unveiled at the Canada-EU summit scheduled for October 29 and 30, 2026, in Montreal. The General Secretariat of the Council of the EU circulated the draft text to the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper II) and the Working Party on Transatlantic Relations on September 22, 2026.
The Council’s accompanying cover note confirms that Canada submitted the initial proposal to European delegates. Member state delegations were asked to review the document and submit written comments by September 28, 2026, establishing a framework for final negotiations ahead of the October leadership summit.
The fleet of De Havilland water bombers will provide high-capacity, amphibious firefighting responses by scooping thousands of liters of water directly from nearby lakes or coastal bodies. Deploying these specialized aircraft dramatically speeds up drop intervals, delivering continuous aerial suppression over intense fire zones to safeguard communities and forestry infrastructure.
“This coordinated procurement underscores a growing transatlantic commitment to pool resources against escalating environmental challenges,” stated a diplomatic official familiar with the draft negotiations.
The strategic initiative establishes a shared infrastructure asset that enhances climate resilience across North America and Europe. Securing a manufacturing commitment for 50 specialized aircraft guarantees long-term fleet availability and industrial stability for aerial firefighting manufacturing.
This multi-government initiative ensures both continents secure vital emergency response assets ahead of the decade’s end. By uniting procurement demands, Canada and the European Union optimize capital deployment while expanding seasonal firefighting capacity. The fleet integration in 2030 will significantly boost global resilience against severe forest fires.
