# Canada and EU Consider Water Bomber Purchase

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada is urging federal and provincial governments to establish a national water-bomber fleet, saying a 50-aircraft order could support a second production line. A Canada–EU purchase of 50 aircraft is reportedly expected to be announced in Montreal later in October 2026, but it is not confirmed and may or may not be additional to the existing 38-aircraft order book. De Havilland’s production is sold through 2034, creating a long lead-time and supplier-capacity issue for agencies planning aircraft acquisitions or wildfire-response coverage.

- The proposed 50-aircraft purchase is not a confirmed award, and its relationship to the existing order book remains unclear; buyers should distinguish potential new capacity from aircraft already committed.
- Alberta’s five-aircraft order is valued at $400 million, while the existing order book includes orders for Ontario, Alberta, and Manitoba. Delivery timing and production capacity are material planning factors for prospective buyers.
- A separate federal allocation of $317 million in May 2026 covers leases of 10 firefighting aircraft for 150 days, providing a distinct near-term procurement approach alongside longer-term fleet acquisition.
- The extended production queue and development of competing water-bomber aircraft point to supplier and competition risks. Agencies planning future coverage can compare acquisition timelines with lease options and assess whether a coordinated fleet approach fits their operational needs.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Transportation, Public Safety
**Topics:** Emergency Response
**Published:** October 18, 2026

### Government Entities
- Government of Canada
- Department of National Defence (DND)
- Government of Ontario
- Government of Alberta
- European Union (EU)

### Vendors
- De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (Aircraft manufacturer and prospective supplier)
- Positive Aviation (Competitor developing a water-bomber aircraft)
- Kepplair Evolution (Competitor developing a water-bomber aircraft)
- Hynaero (Competitor developing a water-bomber aircraft)

### Key Quotes
> If it can’t turn that into delivered aircraft quick enough, customers won’t wait. They will find alternatives.
> — Christopher Read, former Director of Corporate Development, Air Canada

> There’s no national co-ordination for the fleet of water bombers.
> — John Gradek, aviation management instructor, McGill University

### Sources
- [De Havilland calls for national water bomber fleet as it scrambles to meet demand | CFJC Today Kamloops](https://cfjctoday.com/2026/10/18/de-havilland-calls-for-national-water-bomber-fleet-as-it-scrambles-to-meet-demand) - CFJC Today Kamloops