Greece's Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Yiannis Kefalogiannis, has revealed that signatures are being finalized for the upgrade of seven Canadair CL-415 firefighting aircraft. This announcement was made ahead of a formal signing ceremony scheduled for today at the Ministry, which aims to enhance the operational capabilities of the country's firefighting fleet.

The upcoming upgrades are part of a wider initiative outlined in the new legislative bill titled 'Active Fight,' which was recently approved by the Greek Parliament. Alongside the upgrades to the existing Canadair aircraft, the fleet will also include seven new CL-515 aircraft. In total, this will bring Greece’s firefighting aerial resources to 14 units of the CL-515 model, increasing preparedness for wildfire seasons that have become increasingly intense in recent years.

Yiannis Kefalogiannis emphasized the importance of these upgrades during a recent briefing for the Permanent Committee on Production and Trade. He pointed out that the renovation of these Canadair planes will serve as a critical operational tool during the fire-fighting season, aiming to bolster the country's capabilities in managing and responding to wildfires effectively.