Portuguese Air Force Deploys Helicopters in Rural Firefighting for First Time

The Portuguese Defence Minister Nuno Melo announced that the Air Force will take part in rural fire‑fighting using its helicopters for the first time. A new operational strategy based at Monte Real air base employs P‑3 Orion and C‑295 aircraft for early fire detection and then deploys two UH‑60 Black Hawk and two AW119 Koala helicopters to attack flames directly.

One state‑owned B3 helicopter, part of the 78‑aircraft DECIR fleet, is currently under maintenance and is expected to be operational on 16 July. The programme also plans to acquire fire‑fighting kits for C‑130 aircraft by 2027 and to introduce Canadair water‑bombers in 2029–2030. Additional aerial assets such as amphibious Fire‑Boss aircraft have already been used.

Local incidents illustrate the expanded capability: on a single day in Fafe three separate fires prompted the dispatch of a Kamov heavy helicopter, a locally based helicopter, a unit from Ribeira de Pena and two amphibious aircraft, alongside ground crews, preventing damage to nearby homes and industrial areas.