Canada and the European Union are preparing a joint purchase of 50 De Havilland water bombers as part of a wider partnership package tied to a summit in Montreal later this month. The planned order would expand transatlantic wildfire-response capacity and would be among the largest procurement signals yet for the Canadian manufacturer’s DHC-515 programme.
The package sits inside broader talks on trade, critical minerals, digital cooperation, energy and strategic resilience as Ottawa and Brussels seek closer ties amid tensions with the United States. The aircraft would be used for wildfire response in Canada and Europe, reflecting growing interest in civil-protection procurement as fire seasons intensify on both sides of the Atlantic.
The proposed purchase is still understood to be in draft form rather than finalised. One report indicated De Havilland was not aware of the deal talk, suggesting the plan has not yet reached a signed contract stage.
If confirmed, the order would be a major commercial boost for De Havilland and a significant addition to the specialty firefighting aircraft market. One report placed entry into service from around 2030, underscoring the long lead times involved in building and fielding the aircraft.