As firefighters struggle to contain some of the worst European wildfires in living memory with reduced numbers of aerial water bombers, production of the iconic aircraft creaks along half a world away in a Canadian factory. Although manufacturer De Havilland restarted production in 2024, the first delivery -- of just two aircraft -- to France, one of the countries hardest hit by wildfires in Europe so far this summer, won't happen until at least 2028. France is experiencing its worst wildfire season on record, with 92,000 hectares already burned, an area nine times the size of Paris. "We have two aircraft to deliver to France in 2028-2029 ... and the two aircraft announced last month for 2032-2033," Cote said. The first DHC-515 -- the modernised version of the water bomber -- will go to Greece, Cote said, "in early 2028."