Europe’s 2026 wildfire season has placed increasing pressure on the continent’s aerial firefighting capabilities, as major forest fires spread across parts of France and Spain, highlighting the limited availability of firefighting aircraft and prompting the European Union to expand its emergency response capacity.
According to media reports, the shortage of operational Canadair amphibious aircraft in several European countries led the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to deploy firefighting planes, helicopters and specialized response teams from multiple member states to support ongoing firefighting operations.
In response to these growing challenges, the European Union is moving forward with its rescEU program, which includes the acquisition of twelve additional Canadair aircraft. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2028 due to the manufacturer’s limited production capacity.
Against this backdrop, Morocco stands out as one of Africa’s leading operators of Canadair firefighting aircraft. The Kingdom currently operates a fleet of eight Canadair planes dedicated to combating forest fires, following recent investments aimed at strengthening its aerial firefighting capabilities.
Throughout the 2026 wildfire season, Moroccan Canadair aircraft took part in several firefighting operations across the country, including interventions in Taroudant Province and several northern regions. The missions were carried out in coordination with the Civil Protection services, the Royal Armed Forces and local authorities to contain the fires and protect both communities and forested areas.
The expansion of Morocco’s aerial firefighting fleet reflects the country’s long-term investment in disaster response capabilities and further reinforces its position as one of Africa’s most advanced nations in the field of aerial wildfire suppression.