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Nova Scotia signs $25-million deal with Airbus to replace wildfire helicopter fleet – Winnipeg Free Press

The Madras Tribune
The Madras Tribune
Nova Scotia signs -million deal with Airbus to replace wildfire helicopter fleet – Winnipeg Free Press


HALIFAX – The Nova Scotia government is getting new helicopters to fight wildfires, with a contract worth more than $25 million with aerospace giant Airbus.

The Natural Resources Department says the aircraft will replace its fleet of four helicopters that are currently used as water bombers.

Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton said Thursday that money from a trade-in or sale of the existing helicopters will be used to bring down the purchase price of the new aircraft.


The Nova Scotia government is getting new helicopters to help fight wildfires through a contract worth more than $25 million with aerospace giant Airbus. A water bombing helicopter carries water as emergency responders battle a wildfire burning in Tantallon, N.S., on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
The Nova Scotia government is getting new helicopters to help fight wildfires through a contract worth more than $25 million with aerospace giant Airbus. A water bombing helicopter carries water as emergency responders battle a wildfire burning in Tantallon, N.S., on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

The department says the first of the new helicopters is expected to be delivered next summer.

A joint $25.6-million five-year agreement with Ottawa for training and the purchase of firefighting equipment is helping the province with the helicopter purchase.