Greece secures EU Canadair CL-515 order and deploys firefighting aircraft to Spain

Greece spearheaded the revival of the Canadian‑origin Canadair CL‑515 production line, persuading De Havilland to restart manufacturing after the 2015 shutdown. The European Union placed an initial order of more than 20 CL‑515 amphibious water‑bombers, with Greece slated to receive a “lion’s share” of seven aircraft, two of which will be assigned to the EU civil‑protection coordination centre.

Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and the rescEU programme, Greece also sent two Canadair CL‑415 firefighting aircraft to Spain to assist in combating the extensive wildfires around Avila. The Greek crew operated under difficult heat and wind conditions, delivering continuous water drops. Upon landing, Spanish firefighters welcomed a Greek pilot with a symbolic “water fan” in recognition of his contribution.