A leaked draft suggests Europe and Canada may agree on 50 Canadair 515 aircraft, potentially impacting European firefighting plane manufacturers.
Leaked draft outlines aircraft order
A draft document leaked online suggests a potential order for 50 Canadair 515 aircraft, which could be announced after a summit in Montreal at the end of October 2026. The document, published on the politico.eu website, is described as a draft, unclassified, and dated September 22, 2026.Document details proposed agreement
The leaked document outlines proposals for an agreement to be signed following the summit between Europe and Canada. The agreement aims to strengthen relations between the two regions on various issues, including industry, artificial intelligence, vaccines, and aid to Ukraine.Potential impact on European aircraft makers
Such an order could negatively affect European manufacturers of water bomber aircraft, such as the FF-72 from Positive Aviation and the Frégate-F100 from Hynaéro. These aircraft are used primarily for firefighting and are produced in Europe.Industry reactions to the proposal
The leaders of Positive Aviation and Hynaéro have responded to the proposed order. Their statements reflect concerns about the potential impact on their businesses if the Canadair 515 is chosen over European models.