CCC and Portuguese Air Force sign contract for Canadian waterbombers

OTTAWA — CCC announces the signing of a government to government (G2G) contract with Portugal’s Air Force for the sale of two (2) DHC-515 FIREFIGHTER™ aircraft manufactured by De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC). Through CCC’s G2G contract, DHC will provide the DHC-515 aircraft to Portugal, along with spare parts, training, and maintenance support. The G2G contract is the result of ongoing cooperation between CCC, DHC, the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism (rescEU) and its Member States to supply the EU with Canadian-made waterbombers. Portugal joins Greece and Croatia in the acquisition of aircraft supported by rescEU, bringing a total of eleven (11) DHC-515 aircraft contracted through CCC.

Portugal has experienced in recent years more frequent and intense wildfires, largely due to rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and changing precipitation patterns. These fires have led to widespread destruction of property and loss of life. The Portuguese air force will use its new waterbombers to continue protecting the country’s citizens and rich biodiversity from the devastating impacts of wildfires.

CCC, Canada’s G2G contracting agency, and Export Development Canada, Canada’s export credit agency, are part of Canada’s overall support for the DHC-515 FIREFIGHTER™ program.

“CCC is proud to help the Portuguese Air Force to acquire De Havilland Canada’s advanced waterbombers and strengthen Portugal’s capacity to combat wildfires that endanger its people and their properties,” said Kim Douglas, VP of Business Development and Marketing, CCC.