In recent years, Air Tractor's firefighting aircraft have seen a sharp rise in global demand. In 2025, the company has scheduled 43 firebombers on the production schedule, underscoring the growing reliance on the aircraft for wildfire suppression.
While demand has increased worldwide, Europe has been particularly aggressively investing in its aerial firefighting fleet. The AT-802F and its amphibious counterpart, the Fire Boss, are valuable assets in Spain, Portugal, France, Slovenia, Turkey, Greece, and other Mediterranean countries.
To underscore the trend, Air Tractor Europe (ATE) received a record-breaking order of 31 AT-802 aircraft equipped with Fire Boss amphibious float systems in 2023. With final deliveries slated for 2026, this new fleet strengthens firefighting capabilities across multiple European countries.
The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires in Europe prompted a strategic reassessment of aerial firefighting tactics. The European Union is expanding its fleet of dedicated firefighting aircraft designed for rapid response to fires. This expansion includes the introduction of new airtankers and improved coordination among EU member states to optimize wildfire suppression efforts.
Beyond new aircraft acquisitions, the EU is strategically deploying firefighters from various member states to high-risk areas, including France, Greece, Portugal and Spain, to reinforce local forces during peak wildfire seasons. Efforts to enhance coordination include sharing best practices, standardizing operational procedures, and improving communication and information sharing among nations.
A key component of this evolving strategy are the AT-802F and Fire Boss. When organized as initial attack flight groups, they can quickly arrive over a fire to drop continuous loads of water, slow its growth, reduce its intensity, and remain on scene until it is extinguished.
The AT-802 series’ agility, cost-efficiency, and rapid deployment capabilities have not gone unnoticed. The Fire Boss variant in particular offers enhanced operational flexibility by enabling water scooping from lakes, reservoirs and rivers, allowing for quick turnaround times between drops. Capable of taking in up to 800 gallons of water, a Fire Boss flight group delivers more water for a fraction of the cost of larger water bombers.
As climate change continues to exacerbate wildfire conditions across the globe, demand for highly efficient, versatile firefighting aircraft is expected to grow. Air Tractor’s dedication to innovation and strategic partnerships positions it to meet these evolving needs, providing aerial firefighting solutions that protect lives, property, and natural resources.
In March, the Aerial Fire Fighting Europe Conference and Exhibition in Bordeaux, France, brings together industry experts, practitioners, and government leaders to shape the future of aerial firefighting in Europe. Air Tractor Europe and Conair Group are shown as Gold sponsors on the AFF event sponsor page.
