Fight against forest fires. France is betting on water bombers

When there is a firesalvation often comes from heaven. Consequently, In recent years. However, with global warming et increased risks of forest firesthe use of water bombers And other air resources has established itself as a necessity. Consequently,

Attack emerging fires as quickly as possible – Fight against forest fires. france

In this area. For example, France has a special intervention doctrine: civil security aircraft must Attack emerging fires As quickly as possible to turn them off, before they become out of control. However, The effectiveness of this doctrine is unanimous today with all civil security players. For example, It would control almost 89.5 % of fire starts. Consequently,

“This strategy. Furthermore, which implies having a projection capacity on all risky territories, will necessarily involve in the future, in a context of fire risk extension to the whole country, a removal of the fleet“Underlines a 2023 fight against forest fires. france Senate report, directed by Jean-Pierre Vogel.

The fleet of aging water bombers in France

More The water bombers fleet is increasingly requested due in particular to the extension. Consequently, intensification of fire risk. Moreover, “”The consequences of climate change today imply an increased risk of starting fires. Consequently, and therefore, an increasing solicitation of the fleet“Recalls this same report.

This situation is likely to generate significant additional costs. Therefore, mechanically linked to an increase in hours of flights and the number of drops carried out, as well as the multiplication of maintenance operations. Similarly, “”In 2022. additional expenses induced by the forest fire season, for example, led to an additional cost estimated at 33 million euros“Underlines the report.

What is the fleet of water fight against forest fires. france bombers in France?

It is in this context that the fleet of France’s water bombers is aging. The fleet of civil security aircraft intended for the fight against forest fires is currently made up of 12 planes Canadair CL415. 8 planes Dashet 3 avions Beechcraft King 200. But this fleet is aging. Some planes have 61 years of existence. This is the case of Canadian Canadia. these yellow and red Pelicans, the first copy of which was delivered to France in 1967.

Recently, the seven S-2FT trackers have been removed from the service. This fleet is supplemented by helicopters, the dragon. Some departments also rent water bomber helicopters from private companies.

The use of drones against forest fires

Drones complete these air systems. especially in fire detection And especially the organization of help. They allow firefighters to be guided on the ground. In the creeks, the Marseille firefighters are fight against forest fires. france testing an airship to track the fires.

The air force in reinforcement of firefighters?

In May, the French army carried out a test with a A400m. This military transport aircraft was equipped with a removable kit of water drop. In a passage, the A400M was able to drop 20,000 liters of water.

“The system used is based on a “roll-on/roll-off” kit. easily installed in the plane hold without requiring permanent modifications“Specifies the FEUXDEFORET.FR site.”Faced with the dramatic increase in fires in France. especially in the south, in Corsica and now in areas formerly spared, this new capacity is timely. It could fill the gaps in civilian means, sometimes overwhelmed during multiple crises“Advance this site.

A project of a bomber of water made-in France in Istres

The government announced on Friday that it will participate financially in the amphibious water bomber project of a French company. with the aim of fight against forest fires. france ensuring the “sovereignty“France, especially in terms of Fight against forest fires.

It is in this context of the need to benefit from strengthening means to combat forest fires that the. new hydravion project “Fregate-F100“Go see the light of day. It is worn by Hynaero company and will set up at Istres in the south of France. He must see the light of day in 2029. “With the prospect of operational commissioning in France and internationally in 2031“, assured in a joint press release the Minister François-Noël Buffet, the president of the PACA Renaud Muselier region and Bruno Bonnell, secretary general for the investment in charge of France 2030, a system which allows the region to double the investment of the State.

The Water bombardier Fregate-F100 must be endowed “operational capacity doubled compared to current bombers“.

The State promised to inject 7 million euros into this project. had provided the PACA region on Thursday, welcoming a decision in a statement that “marks a major advance for the modernization of the French Fire Fight“.

French company must develop a water bomber “thought to meet the challenges of climate change. the intensification of forest fires“, had still written the region which will host the production site.