Military authorities acquire two firefighting equipment sets for C-130 military planes
In a move aimed at bolstering the country's wildfire combat capabilities, the Portuguese government has acquired two state-of-the-art firefighting kits for two Air Force C-130 aircraft. The cost of this acquisition is approximately 16 million euros.
These kits, among the most modern firefighting systems currently available, will allow the C-130s to carry and drop up to 12 tons of water in a single operation. This is significantly more than what helicopters can carry, providing larger and more flexible discharges.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro highlighted the government's commitment to reducing the number and impact of wildfires, expressing a wish for them to occur in the smallest possible number, with the least impact and dimension.
The acquisition of these kits is part of Portugal's broader strategy to improve wildfire combat capabilities. The C-130 aircraft, equipped with these kits, will complement existing resources like Black Hawk helicopters and Canadair water bombers, which are planned for delivery in the future.
The C-130 aircraft, some of which have been improved through maintenance and revitalization operations, are expected to become operational as soon as practical, although it will not be within the current year due to the time required to fit the kits and train crews.
The public applauded the decision to cancel the fireworks display at the opening ceremony of the Feira de São Mateus, which was held in Viseu on Thursday night, due to a state of alert. The President of the Municipal Chamber of Viseu, Fernando Ruas, justified the absence of fireworks.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro thanked the understanding shown regarding the cancellation of the fireworks display and emphasized the sense of responsibility and unity of the country in prevention and combat of wildfires. He also expressed gratitude towards those who fight wildfires.
In addition, Luís Montenegro promised that support will soon be provided to those who suffered from wildfires and saw their farms destroyed, similar to last year.
It's worth noting that the government does not currently use 10 aircraft for combating wildfires due to the absence of necessary kits. The acquisition of these two kits aims to enhance the operational capability of these aircraft.
The government's decision to enhance its wildfire combat capabilities comes as Prime Minister Luís Montenegro stated that Portugal has the largest ever readiness device to address all wildfire occurrences this year.
[1] Source: Official Government Statement [5] Source: Air Force Press Release
- The expansion of Portugal's wildfire combat capabilities is not limited to airborne assets, as the government is also investing in environmental science and climate-change research to better understand and predict wildfire behavior.
- In line with its broader commitment to environmental stewardship, the Portuguese government has allocated funds from its annual budget to finance initiatives that promote sustainable industry practices, reducing pollution and waste in the aerospace sector.
- Recognizing the importance of financial stability in the efficient operation of wildfire combat efforts, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has directed his economic team to explore innovative funding models, such as green bonds, to support these critical programs and minimize long-term fiscal impact.
