Europe Enhances Wildfire Defense with Sikorsky FIREHAWK Helicopters

Europe Fortifies Wildfire Defenses with FIREHAWK Helicopters Fleet

Europe is escalating its response to the growing threat of catastrophic wildfires by incorporating the Sikorsky S-70 FIREHAWK® helicopter into its aerial firefighting arsenal. The Czech Republic Ministry of Interior has finalized a contract for two of these specialized aircraft, with an option for a third, marking the FIREHAWK’s first international sale and its debut on the European continent. This move comes as the continent grapples with what has been described as its worst wildfire season on record, underscoring a critical need for advanced, reliable, and powerful firefighting technology.

The acquisition is a direct reaction to the escalating environmental crisis. The 2025 wildfire season has been particularly devastating, with over 1 million hectares burned across Europe, a stark increase from the annual average of 323,135 hectares recorded between 2006 and 2024. This surge in fire activity has also led to a significant rise in carbon emissions, reaching a 23-year high of 12.9 megatonnes. The introduction of the FIREHAWK, a platform proven in the demanding conditions of U.S. wildfire seasons, represents a strategic enhancement of Europe’s collective emergency response capabilities.

This initiative is supported by the European Commission’s rescEU program, a continent-wide mechanism designed to pool and deploy resources for disaster response. The FIREHAWKs will be based in the Czech Republic but will be available for deployment across Europe, bolstering the existing rescEU fleet and providing a much-needed boost to the continent’s ability to manage large-scale emergencies. The collaboration involves PZL Mielec, a Polish subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, and Česká Letecká Servisní (ČLS), a Czech aviation service company, highlighting a cross-border effort to address a shared threat.

A New Era in European Aerial Firefighting

The FIREHAWK is not just another helicopter; it’s a purpose-built aerial firefighting machine. Derived from the legendary Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter, it is engineered to operate in the extreme environments where wildfires thrive. Its core strength lies in its ability to deliver a significant amount of water with precision and speed. The aircraft is equipped with a 1,000-gallon (approximately 3,785 liters) external water tank that can be refilled in about 60 seconds via a retractable snorkel hose. This rapid turnaround capability is crucial for maintaining a constant assault on a fire front.

Beyond its water-dropping capacity, the FIREHAWK is a multi-mission asset. It can transport up to 11 fully equipped wildland firefighters to remote locations, enabling ground crews to attack fires in inaccessible terrain. This dual capability of direct attack from the air and rapid deployment of ground personnel makes it a formidable tool. Furthermore, the helicopter can be quickly reconfigured for other critical missions, including search and rescue, medical evacuation, and cargo transport, adding a layer of versatility to any emergency response fleet.

The manufacturing and modification process involves a significant European industrial footprint. The base S-70i™ Black Hawk helicopters are manufactured by PZL Mielec in Poland, one of the country’s largest defense exporters. The aircraft are then modified into the FIREHAWK configuration by the U.S.-based company United Rotorcraft, which will partner with the Czech firm ČLS for the local outfitting of this first European fleet. This arrangement not only brings top-tier technology to Europe but also supports a robust supply chain and sustains thousands of jobs across the European Union.

“Welcoming the FIREHAWK to Europe represents a major leap forward in the continent’s wildfire and emergency response. By combining the FIREHAWK’s proven capabilities with the expertise of European emergency responders, we can more efficiently and effectively manage the growing threat of wildfires.” – Dr. Dennis Goege, Lockheed Martin Vice President and Chief Executive for Europe.

Strengthening Collective Resilience through rescEU

The acquisition of the FIREHAWK helicopters is a key component of the broader European strategy to enhance its collective disaster response capabilities under the rescEU program. Established to create a reserve of European capacities, rescEU ensures that when the scale of an emergency overwhelms a member state’s ability to respond on its own, additional assistance is readily available. The program pools resources like firefighting planes and helicopters, medical evacuation planes, and other emergency supplies.

The 2024 rescEU aerial firefighting fleet already consisted of 28 fixed-wing aircraft and 4 helicopters sourced from 10 member states. The addition of the FIREHAWKs represents a significant technological upgrade. The EU has further committed to expanding this capacity, allocating €600 million to acquire 12 new firefighting aircraft to create a permanent, EU-owned fleet, with initial deliveries anticipated in 2027. This long-term investment signals a clear recognition of the persistent and growing threat posed by climate change-driven natural disasters.

This strategic foresight extends to ground operations as well. In addition to bolstering its aerial fleet, the rescEU program includes the prepositioning of 556 firefighters from 12 countries in high-risk areas such as France, Greece, Portugal, and Spain. This integrated approach, combining advanced aerial assets with strategically placed ground crews, aims to create a more agile, effective, and resilient pan-European response system capable of tackling the increasingly complex challenges of modern wildfires.

Future-Proofing Firefighting Efforts

The arrival of the FIREHAWK in Europe is more than just an equipment purchase; it signifies a strategic shift towards adopting proven, multi-mission platforms to address a dynamic and growing threat. The helicopter’s flexibility is a key advantage. As noted by Monika Kowalczyková, CEO of ČLS, the firefighting equipment can be easily disassembled, allowing the Czech Police to use the helicopter for standard police duties when not deployed on fire missions. This ensures the aircraft remains a valuable asset year-round.

Looking ahead, the evolution of aerial firefighting technology continues. Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) are already collaborating on an initiative to explore autonomous FIREHAWK capabilities. This research into autonomous flight could revolutionize how wildfires are fought, potentially allowing for operations in conditions too dangerous for human pilots, such as extremely low visibility or highly erratic fire behavior. While still in development, these advancements point towards a future where technology plays an even greater role in protecting communities and natural landscapes from destruction.

FAQ

Question: What is the FIREHAWK helicopter?
Answer: The FIREHAWK is a specialized aerial firefighting helicopter, which is a modified version of the Sikorsky S-70i™ Black Hawk™. It is equipped with a 1,000-gallon water tank and can transport firefighters and equipment.

Question: Why is Europe acquiring FIREHAWK helicopters?
Answer: Europe is facing increasingly severe wildfire seasons, with 2025 being the worst on record. The FIREHAWKs are being acquired through the EU’s rescEU program to enhance the continent’s collective ability to fight these fires more effectively.

Question: How many FIREHAWKs are being acquired?
Answer: The Czech Republic has signed a contract for two FIREHAWK helicopters, with an option to purchase a third. This is the first sale of the aircraft outside of the United States.

Question: What are the key capabilities of the FIREHAWK?
Answer: Its main features include a 1,000-gallon (3,785-liter) water tank that can be refilled in 60 seconds, the ability to transport 11 firefighters, and multi-mission flexibility for search and rescue, medical evacuation, and cargo transport.

Sources: Lockheed Martin News