Fourth New Waterbomber Delivered to the Province

The fourth and final waterbomber, included in a 2009 purchase agreement valued at $120 million, has been received by the Provincial Government. The new aircraft was delivered in Gander on March 24 and will enter service in late spring.

“With the arrival of this new waterbomber, the Provincial Government has achieved its goal of modernizing the province’s air fleet for forest fire suppression,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works. “The increased water-carrying capacity of the Bombardier 415 aircraft, coupled with their ability for speed, further strengthens our firefighting capabilities.”

The multi-year purchase agreement with Bombardier Aerospace saw the first three aircraft incorporated into the provincial fleet in 2010 and 2011.

“The four new aircraft will work with the two existing CL-215 waterbombers and a spotter plane to help protect our communities and forest resources when fire threatens,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency. “The new waterbombers will ensure the dedicated professionals on our fire fighting team will continue to have strong air support while they are working in the field.”

The Bombardier purchase agreement is in keeping with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s unprecedented commitment to enhancing provincial infrastructure through multi-year investments valued in excess of $5 billion.

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Photo: The fourth and final new Bombardier 415 waterbomber aircraft landed in Gander on March 24, completing a 2009 purchase agreement valued at $120 million.  

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2012 04 20                               12:35 p.m.