De Havilland Canada is advancing on its largest-ever sales contract, a 2024 agreement to deliver 22 of its next-generation Canadair 515 firefighting aircraft to a consortium of six European countries. The deal provides a significant boost to the Canadian aerospace manufacturer's order book and establishes a new production line for the specialized waterbombers.
"CCC’s G2G contracting approach helped secure six individual government contracts, providing the certainty and scale necessary for DHC to establish the new Canadair 515 production line in Canada," the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC), which serves as the prime contractor for the deal, said in a May 25 statement.
The agreement, signed in 2024, provides a historic boost to DHC's order backlog, though the total value of the 22-aircraft deal was not disclosed. The purpose-built amphibious aircraft are designed for aerial firefighting, a growing need as climate change extends the length and severity of wildfire seasons globally, a concern shared by the European Union's Civil Protection Mechanism.
The contract solidifies Canada's role in the specialized aerospace sector and is projected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs. For De Havilland, it provides the large-scale order needed to stand up a new manufacturing line for the 515, ensuring production continuity and a stable revenue stream as global demand for aerial firefighting assets increases. The new 515 model builds on the legacy of previous Canadair waterbombers with modern avionics and enhanced safety features.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
