Helicopters – heroes of wildfire response

Helicopters are vital in wildfire response, delivering rapid drops, rescue support, and EU-coordinated protection across borders.

When wildfires rage across Europe, as they have this summer, a sophisticated aerial response network springs into action. At the heart of this life-saving operation are helicopters, which reflect the real impact of European technological innovation in saving lives.

The growing challenge

Europe faces an intensifying wildfire threat. In 2022, nearly 900,000 hectares burned across the continent – the second-worst year on record. While 2024 saw a reduction to 370,000 hectares, this still exceeded the 15-year average, highlighting the persistent danger. 

Helicopters play a key role in fighting these fires and saving lives, and the effectiveness of helicopter-based firefighting is demonstrated in research.  Studies show that helicopters contribute an average of 64% of the combined air-ground effort in fire containment operations. This remarkable figure underscores their huge impact in successful fire fighting activities. 

Helicopters have a huge advantage over both ground forces and fixed-wing aircraft. Average response times show helicopters reaching fires within 40 minutes of detection, compared to 1 hour 40 minutes for ground forces. This speed differential often determines whether a small fire becomes a catastrophic blaze. 

Turnaround efficiency is another huge advantage. Helicopters have a 3- to 5-minute turnaround times between drops, compared to approximately 25 minutes for fixed-wing aircraft. The ability to refill from nearby water sources in under 45 seconds enables helicopters to perform 10 or more drops per hour, significantly exceeding the 4-5 runs achievable by larger aircraft. 

Data from one study showed that helicopters successfully reached head fires before ground forces arrived in 60% of cases, providing crucial initial actions that prevented fire spread. 

European rescEU coordination

The European Union has set up a coordinated response framework to maximise the use of available resources for emergency situations such as wildfires. For 2025, the rescEU programme used 4 helicopters alongside 22 firefighting aircraft across 10 member states. These assets support the capabilities in countries, providing rapid cross-border assistance when local resources become overwhelmed. 

The programme strategically positions aircraft in high-risk locations: so, for example, France received four medium amphibious aircraft and one helicopter, while Czechia and Slovakia hosted dedicated helicopter assets. This distribution ensures optimal response coverage across Europe's diverse geographic and climatic zones.  

Looking ahead, the EU is investing €600 million in 12 new firefighting aircraft to be delivered by 2027, demonstrating a long-term commitment to aerial firefighting capabilities. This investment complements existing helicopter fleets, creating a comprehensive European firefighting network. 

Innovation by the European aeronautics industry

European helicopter manufacturers continue advancing helicopter firefighting technology. Leonardo's C-27J Next Generation "Fire Fighter" incorporates the advanced MAFFS II system, capable of carrying 7,500 litres of retardant and enabling ground refilling in under 10 minutes. Meanwhile, Airbus and Leonardo are collaborating on the NH90 Block 2 evolution, with next-generation capabilities for complex operations.

These innovations show the industry's commitment to keep working on improving operational effectiveness, while reducing environmental impact. Advanced avionics systems enable precise drop patterns, while improved engine efficiency extends operational range and reduces fuel consumption.
European helicopter manufacturers are leading players in the global firefighting market. Airbus maintains over 50% market share in civil and parapublic operations, with nearly 5,000 units performing public service missions worldwide. Leonardo's global fleet includes approximately 5,000 helicopters in civil and parapublic roles, with 650 dedicated specifically to emergency medical services (EMS), and search and rescue (SAR).  

The global experience of European manufacturers such as Airbus and Leonardo enables them to share expertise and best practices across continents. Chilean operations with H215 helicopters, for example, provide valuable operational data that benefits European firefighting strategies. Similarly, Australian AW139 deployments for EMS and SAR missions contribute to global knowledge sharing

And the European aerospace and defence industry's contribution to wildfire response extends far beyond manufacturing. These companies provide comprehensive support ecosystems including maintenance, training, and operational guidance that ensure rescue teams get the most out of the aircraft. 

Through continued investment in research, development, and operational capabilities, Europe's aerospace and defence industry ensures that its firefighting helicopters remain at the forefront of global emergency response. Each mission flown, each fire contained, and each life saved demonstrates the profound impact of European innovation in protecting what matters most.

Sources: European Commission – Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, “EU organises firefighting teams and fleet of aircraft to support wildfire-hit countries” – https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/news-stories/news/eu-organises-firefighting-teams-and-fleet-aircraft-support-wildfire-hit-countries-2025-05-26_en; European Commission – Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, “5 ways the EU is preparing to respond to wildfires in 2025” – https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/news-stories/stories/5-ways-eu-preparing-respond-wildfires-2025_en; Airbus Helicopters, “Aerial firefighting” – https://www.airbus.com/en/products-services/helicopters/aerial-firefighting; Airbus Press Release, “Greece orders eight Airbus H215 helicopters to combat forest fires” – https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-04-greece-orders-eight-airbus-h215-helicopters-to-combat-forest-fires; Leonardo, “AW139 role in fire-fighting missions” – https://www.leonardo.com/en/news-and-stories-detail/-/detail/aw139-role-in-fire-fighting-missions-2; Government of Victoria (Australia), Bushfire CRC study, “Effectiveness of aircraft operations …” – https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/21061/Report-52-Effectiveness-of-Aircraft-Operations-by-the-Department-of-Natural-Resources-and-Environment-and.pdf; PubAffairs Bruxelles, “EU provides €600 million to strengthen rescEU firefighting fleet” – https://www.pubaffairsbruxelles.eu/eu-institution-news/eu-provides-e600-million-to-strengthen-resceu-firefighting-fleet/

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