Portuguese Air Force expands wildfire combat fleet with C-130 plans

The Portuguese Air Force has completed over 200 hours of wildfire combat missions this year using UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The “551-Panteras” squadron participated in 56 missions, performing more than 900 water drops in coordination with the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority.

As part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), Portugal acquired 13 Black Hawk helicopters, including nine dedicated to rural fire combat and four for medical emergencies. This marks a new phase of military support for civil missions, as these aircraft can access locations often unreachable by firefighters.

Defense Minister Nuno Melo and Air Force Chief of Staff General Sérgio Pereira announced plans to expand the aerial firefighting fleet. C-130 aircraft, equipped with firefighting kits purchased for approximately 16 million euros, are expected to be operational by 2027. Additionally, heavy Canadair water bombers are projected to join the fleet between 2029 and 2030.