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The EU launches production of amphibious firefighting planes
12 aircraft will join the permanent rescEU fleet
The European Union has launched the production of 12 amphibious firefighting planes, which will be added to the permanent rescEU fleet.
The planes are able to scoop up water from lakes, rivers, or the sea and drop it on wildfires. This will allow them to operate in areas where there is no access to traditional water sources.
The planes are being manufactured by a consortium led by Airbus. The first aircraft is expected to be delivered in 2026, and the entire fleet will be operational by 2029.
The planes will be used to fight wildfires across Europe
The rescEU fleet is a pool of resources that can be deployed to any EU country that is facing a major emergency. The fleet includes aircraft, helicopters, and other equipment that can be used to fight wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and other disasters.
The addition of the amphibious firefighting planes to the rescEU fleet will significantly increase the EU's capacity to respond to wildfires. The planes will be able to operate in areas that are difficult to reach by traditional firefighting methods, and they will be able to drop large amounts of water on fires, which will help to contain and extinguish them.
The planes are part of a wider effort to strengthen the EU's response to wildfires
The EU has been working to strengthen its response to wildfires in recent years, as the frequency and intensity of these fires has increased due to climate change.
In addition to the amphibious firefighting planes, the EU is also investing in other measures to improve its wildfire response, such as:
- Developing new technologies for early detection and suppression of wildfires
- Improving coordination between EU countries and regions in wildfire response
- Providing training and equipment to firefighters
These measures will help the EU to better protect its citizens and property from wildfires.