Details of Morocco’s purchase of three new “Canadair“firefighting aircraft

Soukaina Sghir
Soukaina Sghir
2 Min Read
kanadir

The Defense Department released details about fire extinguishers earlier this year, announcing the addition of three Canadair aircraft to be deployed next year.

Three Canadair aircraft have been estimated to have been acquired, according to a report by the House Committee on Diplomacy, National Defense, Islamic Affairs, and Abroad-Based Morocco for the Department of Defense sub-budget for the fiscal year 2023. With a financial cost of AED 1 billion and AED 200 million, the delivery program will start next year.

The Ministry of Defense reported that the number of fires this year had reached 36 blazes covering an area of ​​3,000 hectares, indicating that the army had mobilized 1,426 people and equipped equipment to fight them.

The same source explained that the RAF aircraft, based on five “Canadair ” aircraft and a Royal Gendarmerie Turbot rash aircraft, conducted 568 firefights and 2,492 firefighting operations in about 1,084 flight hours.

The Ministry of Defense noted that during the summer and winter, the Royal Armed Forces were active in deploying dangerous aid and support arrangements and equipment for residents, as well as means of intervention through medical centres and technical, air and ground rescue.

A few months ago, Morocco signed an agreement with Canadian aircraft maker Canadair to buy three planes, albeit with reduced production rates due to its internal situation. Morocco is the only African country with such an aircraft.

This comes at a time when the number of forest fires around the world, especially in Morocco, is increasing, requiring more equipment and aircraft every year.

Firefighting in Morocco is carried out in accordance with the National Forest Fire Protection and Control Master Plan, which includes the participation of the Royal Armed Forces, Royal Gendarmerie and Civil Defense Forces, National Water and Forest Service, Directorate General of Meteorology, National Airport Office and local authorities.

Nour el Houda Bouzammour

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