Sask. orders 4 repurposed airtanker planes to replace aging firefighting fleet
Current fleet approaching end of lifespan in 2027
Saskatchewan has started the process of acquiring new planes for its firefighting fleet.
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency will spend around $187 million to buy four repurposed planes: two Dash 8-Q400AT models and two Dash 8-Q400MRE models.
The federal government will contribute around $16 million.
The first of the four planes is expected to arrive in late summer of 2025, with the remaining three arriving by the end of 2027. They are meant to replace the current fleet of Convair 580s, which are approaching the end of their useful lifespan in 2027.
Premier Scott Moe attended an event showing off the aircraft at the Regina airport on Tuesday.
"We do need to make these types of investments and keep the aircraft that we have current, and ensure that we're keeping communities safe," Moe said.
There are currently five active wildfires in Saskatchewan, and the province records a couple hundred wildfires in total every year, he said.
Two of the airplanes are dedicated airtankers. The other two can act as airtankers but can also be used for things like air evacuations, patient transport and cargo hauling.
Marlo Pritchard, president of the public safety agency, welcomed the flexibility the convertible planes will provide.
"As an all-hazard agency, we have to be prepared for incidents or situations outside of wildfires," said Pritchard. "Coming out of COVID, we understood that there may be situations where we need enhanced capabilities."
Conair Aerial Firefighting will convert the four planes into emergency response aircraft.
Conair president and CEO Matt Bradley said these planes are made by Canadians for Canadians.
"Saskatchewan leads the country in preparing for future disasters with their order for four modern emergency response aircraft," Bradley said.
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