Posted
Update
Article written by
Is France sufficiently armed to fight against the devastating fires since the beginning of the summer?
The fight is unequal. The fires are spreading, ever more numerous. Facing them, the air resources are lacking to hold out the rest of the summer in France. Going through the air is however the only way to extinguish inaccessible fires. The bombers are 19 in operation, including twelve Canadair capable of refueling in bodies of water and seven Dash which must be recharged at an airfield.
Like firefighters, aerial equipment is exhausted. French Canadairs are on average 24 years old. The three reconnaissance aircraft even have 37 years of service. Another problem, some planes are under maintenance. Thursday, August 11, ten Canadair were available out of twelve, and only five Dash out of seven. Investments should provide more resources. But the bombers have a cost of 50-60 million euros. To hold the summer, France will benefit from European reinforcements.