France relies on a fleet of 12 Canadair CL-415 water bombers to fight wildfires, but these aircraft are aging, averaging 30 years old. This age, coupled with intensive use, corrosion from scooping water, and a shortage of spare parts, has led to significant maintenance issues. A National Assembly report from July 2, 2025, highlighted these problems, noting that as few as five out of the twelve planes were available on certain days in July 2026, despite a theoretical fleet size of twelve. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez later stated that seven Canadairs were available on July 26, 2026, though the discrepancies highlight the challenge of daily operational availability.
The ongoing issues forced France to deploy additional resources, including eight Dash 8s, three Beechcrafts, six leased Air Tractors, and ten heavy water-bombing helicopters. For the first time, on July 28, 2026, France also deployed an Airbus A400M military transport aircraft equipped for firefighting, though this aircraft cannot scoop water like the Canadairs, limiting its effectiveness in certain situations. The 2026 budget for "Civil Security" was increased to 994.9 million euros, a 15.7% rise from 2025, to fund these national resources, but these investments are not expected to yield significant results for several years.
To address the long-term shortage, France has ordered new DHC-515 water bombers, but delivery is slow. Manufacturer De Havilland, which restarted production in 2024 after Bombardier halted it in 2015, will deliver the first two aircraft to France in 2028, followed by two more in June of the same year, and an additional two announced for 2032-2033. This slow delivery schedule, part of a larger European order for 22 planes, has generated political criticism, with opposition parties accusing the government of hindering firefighting efforts. The first delivery of a new DHC-515 outside the European order will go to Greece in early 2028.
