Manitoba commits to three DHC-515 aircraft in bid to bolster wildfire response
The move underscores both the urgent need for modern aerial firefighting capabilities and Canada’s commitment to supporting homegrown aerospace innovation
De Havilland Canada (DHC) has confirmed that the Province of Manitoba intends to purchase three DHC-515 aircraft, marking a significant endorsement of the next-generation firefighting platform by a long-standing Canadian operator.
The DHC-515 is the successor to the widely used CL-215 and CL-415 waterbombers, and incorporates upgraded avionics, improved performance metrics, and enhanced operational efficiency.
“We are proud to be working with the Province of Manitoba, a long-term operator of CL-215 and CL-415 aerial firefighting aircraft, for the renewal of its fleet,” said Jean-Philippe Côté, Vice President, Programs and Business Improvement, at De Havilland Canada. “The De Havilland Canadair 515 represents the future of wildfire suppression, and we are proud of the trust Manitoba has placed in us to support their hard-working firefighting teams.”
The commitment comes amid a record-breaking wildfire season in Manitoba, where climate change has lengthened the fire season and intensified fire behavior.
“Prior to this record-breaking wildfire season in our province, Manitoba has been very proactive in ordering the three DHC-515 waterbombers,” said Earl W Simmons, Executive Director of the Manitoba Wildfire Service. “Given the annual increase in the length of the wildfire season, along with the number and intensity of these wildfires, we are pleased to work with De Havilland Canada to put another tool in our firefighting toolbox to respond to these events.”
The DHC-515 will be designed, built, and assembled entirely in Canada, representing a significant investment in the national aerospace sector. According to De Havilland Canada, the program is supporting a broad supply chain across the country, including jobs in engineering, advanced manufacturing, and skilled trades.
The announcement adds momentum to the DHC-515 program, which aims to address growing international demand for modern aerial firefighting aircraft, particularly in the face of increasingly extreme fire seasons across North America and Europe.
DHC has announced the establishment of a wholly owned subsidiary to support its operations in Greece.
Chloe Fox
Chloe Fox is an Editorial Assistant for Voyageur Group, joining in 2024. She writes for AirMed&Rescue and ITIJ, covering a range of topics including international travel and health insurance, medical assistance provision, and air medical transportation. Chloe holds a BA (Hons) in English and an MA in English Literature from the University of Bristol.