Today, leaders from the European Commission, Government of Canada, EU Member States and De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (De Havilland Canada) celebrated the conclusion of contract negotiations as aircraft production for 22 new waterbomber aircraft ramps up at De Havilland Canada’s facilities.

De Havilland Canada presented EU Commissioner Janez Lenarčič with a rescEU branded model aircraft, as well as other model De Havilland Canada aircraft, to the assembled EU Member States representatives to mark the occasion and signify the close of the contract negotiation process.

As part of the event, De Havilland Canada announced that the name of the DHC-515 Firefighter would be changing to reflect the history and overwhelming sentiment for the name “Canadair” in Europe.

“When people are close to a wildfire in Europe, they ask when the Canadairs will come to help protect their community,” said De Havilland Canada CEO, Brian Chafe. “Today, we are recognizing the history of service of the Canadair fleet by renaming the aircraft the ‘De Havilland Canadair 515.’”

To celebrate the event, De Havilland Canada has released a video outlining the current state of production of the aircraft, as well as an image of a re-branded De Havilland Canadair 515 in rescEU livery.

“For our company, today is a big day as it marks the end of discussion and the commencement of production moving into high gear,” said Chafe. “But the real work is just beginning. European countries have placed their trust in De Havilland Canada, and it is up to all of us to deliver the aircraft to them on time.”