Morocco’s Firefighting Solidarity: A History of Lending a Helping Wing to Portugal
When wildfires raged across Portugal in September 2017, a familiar sight filled the skies above Monte Real: Moroccan firefighting aircraft. Dispatched under the orders of King Mohammed VI, two Canadair CL-415 water bombers and a Casa CN-235 support aircraft joined a multinational effort to combat the blaze, echoing similar acts of solidarity in previous years.
This wasn’t the first time Morocco answered Portugal’s call for help. Since 2012, the Royal Moroccan Air Force has been a steadfast partner in portugal/” title=”Morocco Sends Firefighting Planes to Aid Portugal in Battling Wildfires”>battling wildfires across Southern Europe, deploying its skilled crews and specialized aircraft to Spain, Portugal, and Italy. In Portugal alone, Moroccan aircraft have flown nearly 70 sorties, totaling over 230 hours of flight time, during interventions in 2016 and 2017.
This commitment to cross-border assistance underscores the deep ties between Morocco and Portugal. The two nations share a history of collaboration, extending beyond firefighting to encompass various areas of mutual interest.
Morocco’s ability to provide such crucial aid stems from its investment in a robust aerial firefighting fleet. The country boasts a significant number of Canadair CL-415 and CL-215 water bombers, renowned for their effectiveness in combating wildfires. Since acquiring its first Canadair aircraft in 2011, Morocco has witnessed their value firsthand, both domestically and in supporting its international partners.
The sight of Moroccan aircraft battling flames alongside their European counterparts serves as a powerful reminder: in the face of natural disasters, international cooperation is not just a choice, but a necessity.
