The government of Nova Scotia announced that it had reached a $25 million agreement with aeronautics giant Airbus for the acquisition of four new helicopters intended to fight forest fires.
The deal was signed last winter, but Tory Rushton, the province’s natural resources minister, released details Thursday, saying the new aircraft will replace the four helicopters the province has been using in its fight against wildfires. .
The money from the takeover or sale of existing helicopters will be used to reduce the purchase price of new aircraft, he told journalists.
Mr Rushton claimed the new purchase was necessary because planned maintenance of existing helicopters was going to be very expensive
.
The trade-in value of the four helicopters therefore helps us to purchase the next four
he noted. The ministry said the first of the new helicopters is expected to be delivered next summer.
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The Nova Scotia government will replace its Airbus helicopters with newer models, which should save it on maintenance costs for aging aircraft.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Daniel Jardine
In an email, spokesperson Patricia Jreige said the ministry was satisfied with the performance of its four helicopters – Airbus H125 model – adding that the replacements will be the same with improved safety features. Using helicopters gives the department increased versatility, she noted.
In addition to their water bombardment capabilities, we use them to support search and rescue efforts, transport people and equipment in emergencies, and conduct aerial surveillance to support the work of multiple services.
The ministry explained that helicopters are able to pick up and dump water at a faster rate than fixed-wing aircraft and can draw water from the many small lakes that dot Nova Scotia.
A five-year, $25.6 million joint agreement with Ottawa for firefighting training and equipment is helping the province buy helicopters. Jreige said the agreement is in its third year and the province has already purchased fire pumps, hoses, power saws and fire trucks as well as safety and communications equipment.
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A Nova Scotia government helicopter waters a wildfire on Yankeetown Road in Hammonds Plains on June 1, 2023.
Photo: Communications Nova Scotia
Meanwhile, she said there is a long wait time to purchase fixed-wing aircraft for water bombing due to supply chain issues.
We are reviewing all of our options to ensure we continue to be well prepared
Jreige reported, adding that the ministry has borrowed fixed-wing aircraft from other jurisdictions four times in the past 10 years under standing agreements to assist in firefighting.
