«We must not necessarily fall into the controversy, but it is true that the existing devices should already be more available and that the commitments of acquisitions of new machines are kept», Underline at the News Factory Thierry Loine, pilot and captain on Canadair of Civil Security. The Canadair Park is also the Achilles heel of the French system for combating large fires: the 12 twelve Canadians CL-415, the only able to ensure massive fire attacks, display an average age of 30 years. They can get 6000 liters of water in 12 seconds. In 2024, a lack of spare parts for these ultra -stressed devices had been felt. “”The situation in the matter is less critical this year, but we must not lower the guard», Slides Thierry Loine. An improvement undoubtedly linked to a new roadmap concluded between Sabena Technics, in charge of maintenance and the DGSCGC.
A presidential promise not held
Above all, civil security awaits the arrival of new Canadians, the need being estimated at a park of 16 aircraft, making it possible to implement three norias of four machines. But the problem is well known: the historic manufacturer of Canadair, Bombardier, has ceased production in 2015 for lack of orders, and the buyer of the program, of Havilland Canada takes time to relaunch that of its successor, the DHC-515, an evolution initiated in 2018. The latter would however offer a modernized version of an architecture based on an architecture dating from the 1960s, and not really having equivalent in the world. While the CL-145 water drop system gives in particular a hard time to Canada’s pilots, planeic and navigation systems are no longer in line with today’s needs.
In 2022, the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, had assured it: the twelve cl 415 will be replaced by sixteen new devices by 2027, as the last parliamentary report. “”However, it must be noted that the position of the government on the Canadian renewal calendar has evolved», Can we read in the document. The objective of the DGSCGC is now to buy only two DHC-515, in addition to the two commanded as part of the European Rescue program (providing for the group acquisition of 22 aircraft by several European Union member states). And to bet on the mid-life renewal of the current CL-415s, “In order to have a total fleet of sixteen devices, old and new combined, by 2033».
Uncertainties on delivery times
Ultimately, four new DHC-515 are therefore expected, without knowing when the CL-415 will be replaced. A renunciation of the strategy presented only three years ago which is first explained by a budget planer. An envelope of 53 million euros on the Civil Protection Budget was canceled in February 2024, however intended for the acquisition of the two devices. As for the delivery times of the new devices, they also sail in troubled waters. Doubts exist on Havilland Canada’s ability to actually deliver its first DHC-515 in 2028.
«Other actors interviewed on this subject by special rapporteurs are much more reserved for compliance with this calendar, the company of Havilland of Canada launching a production chain of a device that has not been built for ten years and that it has never produced itself itself“Specifies the parliamentary report. The industrialist seeking to draw the prices of DHC-515 up to make the program profitable, the negotiations fired in length. If the DGSCGC commanded two new DHC-515, as was initially envisaged, their delivery could not occur before 2032, the very admission of Havilland Canada, interviewed by parliamentarians during the Bourget aeronautical show organized last June.
Other planes and helicopters suffer from obsolescence
Besides Canada, other airborne means of civil security are not at the best level either. The Dash 8 Q400 – with a 10 -ton carrying capacity but having to recharge on the ground – serve above all as a delay, serving as a barrier against the flames and containing polyphosphates, clay and iron oxide giving it its red color. “”We should be able to go from 8 to 10 dash 8“, Pleads Thierry Loine. With an average age of 20 years, their renewal must also be anticipated.
This need is even more glaring concerning the 3 Beechcraft King Air 200, responsible for surveillance missions: while their average age is 45 years, three new copies are necessary to ensure their replacement in brief maturity. Finally, the stake of the fleet of 37 helicopters – 27 EC145 and 10 h145 – there again relates to a certain lack of availability, which should gradually be resolved thanks to a renewal plan of which Airbus will be the beneficiary. But the challenge is also linked to the distribution of these helicopters on French territory, especially since global warming extends the threat of fires to regions which were previously only little concerned.
Faced with the weakness of these airborne means, the DGSCGC is forced to rent aircraft. It thus has access to 6 air tractor water bombers today, with a drop -down capacity of 3 tonnes, as well as ten water bomber helicopters (six heavy appliances of the Super Puma type and four light devices). An expensive strategy: the rental would have represented in itself a cumulative cost of more than 106 million euros since 2020. What is more, the rental confirms the dependence of France in its fight against major fires vis-à-vis multi-year markets with certain companies.
Alternative solutions are multiplying
Could not France count on alternative solutions? Not for several years. Admittedly, Airbus’s initiative to adapt its A400M military plane seems to be enticing, with its three -rate capacity to be more important than Canadair. But in the very opinion of project managers, it is unable to generate a mass effect generating a breath capable of extinguishing fires, like Canadair. Clearly, it takes more time to carry out a drop -off mission, provided via a system positioned at the rear of the plane. The aircraft manufacturer, on the other hand, promotes the possibility of being able to effectively drop from the delay, as it proved in late June. As for the operating cost of the A400M for this type of mission, it would be much higher than with current machines due to the additional cost in kerosene, the Airbus plane with four engines.
There remains the option to develop all new water bombers. And in this area, French projects have multiplied in recent years. This is the case of that carried by the start-up Hynaero, moreover supported by Airbus, which could lend a hand on the industrial and commercial level. Its frigate-F100 promises to be able to scoop 10 tonnes of water. The first flight of the frigate-F100 is scheduled for 2029 and its entry into service could take place from 2031. Another initiative that is starting to talk about it, launched by the positive Aviation start-up: transforming regional ATR 72 aircraft into a water bomber capable of scooping 8000 liters of water. With this frugal solution, the young push relied on a demonstrator in 2026 and a certification in 2028. It remains for these new players to manage to finance their projects to the end.