De Havilland To Expand Water Bomber Production And Hiring

Expanding Firefighting Aircraft Production

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada has announced a significant expansion of its operations to increase the production of the Canadair 515 (DHC-515) amphibious firefighting aircraft. This strategic move is made possible through a financing agreement with the federal government and Export Development Canada, a federal Crown corporation. Under the terms of this deal, the company will receive up to $2.5 billion in financing, which is structured as a loan rather than a grant. This capital injection is designed to help the company double its production capacity for the specialized water bombers, which are currently assembled in Calgary.

The expansion will allow De Havilland to establish a second production line, enabling the company to bring more aircraft to the global market more quickly. This growth is expected to have a substantial impact on the workforce, with the company planning to add 1,200 new jobs across its facilities in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. Beyond direct employment, the company anticipates that thousands of additional positions will be supported through its network of suppliers across the country, who must also increase their production to meet the rising demand for these specialized aircraft.

Meeting Global Demand For Water Bombers

The DHC-515 is an upgraded version of the well-known “Super Scooper” Canadair CL-215. These aircraft are essential for combating wildfires due to their unique ability to swoop down to oceans, rivers, or lakes—instead of having to land—and scoop up approximately 5,500 litres of water within a dozen seconds. The new DHC-515 model offers several improvements over its predecessor, including a higher top speed of 330 km/h, an increased water carrying capacity, and a more advanced avionics suite for better operational efficiency and safety during firefighting missions.

According to Neil Sweeney, vice-president of corporate affairs for De Havilland Canada, the demand for these aircraft is exceptionally high. The company had previously been sold out of production slots until approximately 2034. However, the new financing and the addition of a second production line will allow the company to deliver aircraft to customers as early as 2030. This acceleration is viewed as a critical development for countries and customers worldwide who rely on these tools for emergency fire management and the protection of natural resources.

Two years ago, the company concluded contract negotiations with several European customers to produce more than 20 of these new planes. Currently, about 1,400 people are working on the DHC-515 program. The first aircraft is presently under construction and is scheduled for delivery to Greece in early 2028. The company expects to finalize the financing details by the end of March, after which it will immediately begin hiring new staff and implementing the necessary building blocks to ramp up production quickly.

Operational Growth And Infrastructure

De Havilland, which is owned by Westerkirk Capital and Canadian billionaire Sherry Brydson, moved its headquarters from Toronto to Calgary in 2022. The company has been producing parts for the new water bomber since 2024. While final assembly currently takes place at its Calgary facilities, the company is preparing for a larger scale of operation. Assembly will eventually move to the new De Havilland Field, a sprawling aircraft manufacturing centre and aerodrome located in Wheatland County, west of Strathmore.

Ground was officially broken on this new facility in May. The development of De Havilland Field represents a long-term commitment to expanding the company’s manufacturing footprint in Canada. By integrating a dedicated aerodrome with a manufacturing centre, the company aims to streamline the assembly and testing process for the DHC-515. This infrastructure, combined with the new financing, positions the company to meet the urgent global need for advanced firefighting aviation technology while stimulating economic growth through large-scale industrial employment across multiple provinces.