Firefighting Aircraft Market – By Aircraft, By Water Capacity, By End use – Global Forecast, 2025 – 2034

Firefighting Aircraft Market Size

The firefighting aircraft market was valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a 5% CAGR from 2025 to 2034. Increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires, and advancements in aviation technology at the same time meets the demand of firefighting aircraft across the globe.
 

The increasing number of wildfires due to climate change has been considered one of the key reasons for firefighting aircraft gaining traction and providing support to put off the fires in the forest. In January 2025, 2,128 wildfires burned 64,038 acres. This is the most acres burned in January in the past 10 years. Wildfire leads to the loss of life and ground nutrients and thus becomes the prime focus of the regions facing such disasters to tackle at a faster rate.
 

According to The International Disaster Database, in April 2024 the number of deaths globally caused due to wildfires was 437 whereas it was 237 in the year 2023. The players operating in the market are therefore focusing on the development of tech-advanced by cost effective firefighting aircraft.
 

Governments across countries are also encouraging local authorities to build their own fleet to tackle wildfire situations. For example, the EU has established a fleet of firefighting aircraft, including planes and helicopters, as part of its RescEU program. This initiative aims to improve collective wildfire response across member states.
 

Firefighting Aircraft Market Trends

• The market for firefighting aircraft, which monitors and prevent fire activities on land, is steadily growing due to technological advancements in aircraft. Through a partnership established in April 2024 with their research transition team to direct the development of wildland fire technology, NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration are developing remotely piloted aircraft technology. Technologies to support wildland fire operations are being actively developed by NASA's Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operation (ACE RO) project in collaboration with the FAA.
   
• There is increasing support from the government agencies and commercial industry for the development of uncrewed aircraft technologies, creating a path for integration of innovative technologies such as situational awareness that will help the emergency response team in mitigating the fires.
   
• The increasing budget of the government to tackle fire activities is acting as a catalyst for the firefighting aircraft market to grow. The Californian healthy forest and fire prevention program is planning to bring an additional 2,400 firefighters over the coming years. This has been in accordance with the signed budget agreement in 2024 to maintain USD 2.6 billion through 2028 to protect the people of California from wildfire and help in improving the health of the forest.
   
• The new generation aircraft is in demand for aerial firefighting missions which is creating demand for newer technologies to handle wildfire seasons. For instance, in February 2024, Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. announced the deployment of Pilatus PC-12 Multi-Mission Aircraft (MMA) to Oklahoma to detect wildfire at initial level.
   

Firefighting Aircraft Market Analysis

The market is classified as helicopter, fixed wing aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles. These segments play a vital role in the market with the capability to deliver a significant amount of water or fire retardants at the front lines of wildfire. The newer aircraft types such as drones to combat fires introduced by Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) International depict how the advancement in technology is supporting the fire departments.
 

• The market value of helicopters is projected to exceed USD 1 billion by the year 2034. The market is growing due to the new cases of wildfire arising around the globe. Countries are focusing on ways to combat the growing wildfire and for this many countries are acquiring new helicopters for attacking wildfire and extinguishing the fires in the forest.
   
• French Civil Security has hired helicopters from RTE which has the capability to carry 4,000 liters of water. This shows the growing demand for such helicopters to help in such a situation. The government is also expanding the night firefighting program as Alberta government put a tender for 2 or more helicopters equipped with firefighting aircraft.
   
• By 2034, among all type of helicopters, type 1 helicopter is anticipated to grow and reach a value of USD 497.8 million in the firefighting aircraft market. It is the largest and fastest growing segment which is used for wild land fires. The capacity of type 1 is 700 gallons of water or retardants. It is preferred as it has pinpoint accuracy, and it works closely with the ground personnel and aids in giving the real scenario of the situation.
   
• It is forecasted that the type 2 helicopter market will reach a value of USD 366.6 million by 2034. These have the potential to carry 300 gallons of water. For type 2 helicopters as one formed an amended 2025 contract with Trans Aero Ltd. which secured access to type 2 helicopters. The contract will be available at the discretion of Douglas County’s Office of Emergency Management for a minimum of 168 days.
   
• With the support from the forest service there is an increase in the demand of type 2 helicopters. For instance, in August 2023, U.S. Forest service (USFS) has awarded 44 companies 1.5 billion contract for helicopter support services. This will require the vendors to provide type 2 helicopters in support of USFS to help mitigate the wildland fires.
   
• Type 3 helicopter is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% in the forecast period. With a capacity of around 180 gallons of water the type 3 helicopters are smaller with a higher cruise speed as compared to type 3 helicopters. This type of helicopter becomes useful in handling wildfire at the initial stage. With the capacity to carry 4 to 5 firefighters it is helpful to counter the fire through arriving at the location of fire-starting point.
   
• Fixed wing aircraft market is projected to reach a value of USD 650 million by 2034. In the regions where wildfire occurs on a frequent basis, these fixed wing aircraft become useful in the situation to help tackle the fires. Fixed wing aircraft is growing in the market due to its rapid response, attacking the fire area with strategic precision and its versatility along with the large capacity makes it useful in critical wildfire scenarios.
   
• It’s expected that the unmanned aerial vehicle market will reach a market value of 309.8 million by 2034. As drone technology is developing it is helping the UAV market for firefighting aircraft to expand and provide real time situational awareness of fire events. Countries are developing technology to gain early detection of wildfire situations. For instance, UK firefighters has recently deployed autonomous drone swarms for wildfire prevention.
   
• These types of aircraft are being deployed in the regions are benefiting the emergency response team to cater to the needs of the support for fire situations. The use of different kinds of choppers makes it easy to quickly send the helicopters in steep areas where the ground men find difficulty in reaching the area of fire.
   

Based on water capacity, the firefighting aircraft market is divided into less than 5,000 litres, 5,000 – 10,000 litres and more than 10,000 litres. The carrying capacity of the aircraft are made to carry the waters in the tankers and deliver it to the wildland fire helping to extinguish the growing fire by directing pouring on the place. The alarming fire conditions that are prevailing in regions significantly gives this firefighting aircraft an upper hand to support the government in reducing the risk to life and land that are burnt through large scale fires.
 

• Less than 5,000 liters is projected to register a market value of USD 348.3 million by 2034. The growing requirement of extinguishing fires as soon reflects the rising need for aircraft with a better payload capacity.  There are helicopters that can carry firefighters and pour 1,200 liters of water directly over the area. For instance, H125 flies over the fire areas and helps extinguish the fire in the region.
   
• In August 2024, Milestone Aviation Group Limited with Helitak Firefighting Pty Ltd announced the gain of certification for FT5000 fire tank for the Sikorsky S-92A helicopter. It has a lightweight carbon fiber system which has retraceable belly- mounted fire suppression tank having 5,000 liters capacity.
   
• 5,000 – 10,000 liters market holds a firefighting aircraft market share of 34.3% in 2024. This level of capacity is significantly gaining traction due to their ability to quickly put off the fire and help in reducing the damage due to extreme fires caused in forest and wildland.
   
• More than 10,000 liters market is expected to grow and reach a value of 921.3 million by 2034. The increasing bushfire events have resulted in the loss of land, and this creates a demand for aircraft with more than 10,000 liters of water to fly over the scene and help extinguish the fire.
   
• These escalating fire events have supported the manufacturers of firefighting aircraft to develop and make aircraft with greater efficiency and performance which can be utilized in situations of fire events.
   
• Boeing 747 Supertanker aircraft’s pressurized system can dump about 68,000 liters (18,000 gallons) of retardant in a matter of seconds from as low as 60-90 meters (yards) above ground level.
   

Based on the end use, the market is classified into government and private contractors. Both these have actively taken steps to suppress the wildfire occurring in the regions. With their support the emergency response team are configuring the wildland fire events and developing ways to extinguish the fire at an early stage.
 

• The firefighting aircraft market value of Government firefighting aircraft is anticipated to reach a value of 1.2 billion by 2034. With the government’s involvement in mitigating the fire that occurs in fire season there is a greater demand for aircraft by the government in supporting such a situation of fires. In January 2025, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Alaska Fire Service made an agreement with the Bridger Aerospace for two air attack and surveillance aircraft for the purpose of supporting fire and resource management activities. The contract was worth USD 20.1 million and will last for 5 years.
   
• In February 2024, AMSL Aero received USD 3 million contract from the Australian Government. The fund will help the company to develop autonomous bushfire fighting operations.
   
• By 2034, the private contractor’s market for firefighting aircraft will reach a value of USD 789.7 million. The firefighting aircraft manufacturers are leveraging the market as the demand for aircraft has risen for the massive growing wildfire combat. This has led to private companies that are developing aircraft to launch new generation aircraft to help support reducing the wildland fires.
   
• With the growing forest fire, the collaboration between government and private companies is growing and such support is needed to tackle the fire that is leading to loss of land and life.
   
• Dauntless Air is equipped with the United States' leading number of AT-802F Fire Boss aircraft. These air tankers are purpose-built to provide cost-effective firefighting. Dauntless Air has a 22 amphibious 'Fire Bosses' fleet equipped with the latest firefighting technology.
   

The firefighting aircraft market in North America is projected to grow significantly with a CAGR of 6.3% from 2025 – 2034. The region is heavily dependent on the firefighters as the region witness large wildfire seasons as the season typically runs from spring to fall but with the changing climate behaviour it is variable as depicted from the California wildfire in January 2025. The overnight fire has also risen which puts the fire management practices into risk. This is increasing the aircraft firefighters to mitigate the alarming fire events in the forest and other areas.
 

• The U.S. market was valued at USD 398.4 million in 2024. The U.S. is developing and strengthening the wildfire response through reforms and ACT. For instance, the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025 was introduced to reauthorize the sale of military aircraft for firefighting. The bill is an amendment of the Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer ACT of 1996 which allows the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to sell excess aircraft and parts for their use in wildfire reduction. This will result in an expansion of the fleet and help tackle the growing fire events in the country.
   
• With the rise in wildfire across Southern California there were initiatives taken by the firefighting companies to help assist the country in mitigating the fire. For instance, according to the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS), modular airborne firefighting systems (MAFFS) equipped with C-130 aircraft have been supporting the U.S. Forest Service, California fire departments and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) since January 7, 2025. U.S. Air National Guard and U.S. Airforce Reserve deployed aircraft equipped with (MAFFS) to help cater the wildfire in Southern California.
   
• To mitigate the wildfire there are operation that are being held with the introduction of new aircraft in the U.S. For instance, in August 2024, the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) made the latest addition of 2 new Sikorsky S-70M Fire hawks.
   
• Canada firefighting aircraft market is anticipated to grow and reach a value of USD 77.8 million by 2034. The Canada has been facing large wildfire, and the fire events is increasing at an alarming rate. This provides opportunities for the firefighting aircrafts manufacturers to captivate over the rising concerns and bring solutions that will help render the exiting challenges.
   
• Canada’s 2023 wildfire season was destructive as it recorded 15 million hectares of land being affected by the wildfire. This series of events is continuously increasing and thus providing a path to the companies in the firefighting aircraft industry to increase their presence in the country. De Havilland Aircraft of Canda recently provided update for the DHC-515 Firefighter that the production has been started in the Canadian Manufacturing Facilities.
   

Europe firefighting aircraft market is expected to grow and reach a value of USD 518.4 million by the year 2034. The region has been actively seeking opportunities to develop their firefighting services as the production of 12 amphibious firefighting planes reflects the aim of the region to become independent in firefighter fleet. This has been launched through agreement signed by number of EU members with the Canadian Commercial Corporation. With the help of European Commission (EU), the region aims to assist the crisis response and tackle forest fires. Aircraft from rescEU will be deployed quickly in case of additional support required by the countries in Europe facing severe wildfire.
 

• Germany market is expected to grow at CAGR of 6.7% in the forecast period. Germany has been prone to forest fires which has brough the attention of firefighter aircraft companies to provide support to the country's rising wildfires. For instance, in September 2024, around 250 firefighters were deployed was backed by airplane and helicopters to battle the forest wire in the mountains of central Germany.
   
• The UK firefighting aircraft market was valued at USD 25.9 million in 2024. Over the last decade the UK has witnessed an increase in large-scale fires which ranged from fire in fields to woodland areas generally taking place in summers. This increases the need for aircraft to tackle and reduces the loss of land due to fires.
   
• France market is anticipated to grow and reach a value of USD 48.2 million by 2034. France in 2022 had a destructive fire season where 65,000 hectares were burned. The country has been seeking help to mitigate the fires in the peak seasons as Dash 8-400AT airtanker was sent from Canada to France to support firefighting.
   
• In August 2024, France Defense Procurement Agency (DCA) made government to government (G2G) deal with Canada Commercial Corporation (CCC) for the supplying of 2 DHC-515 firefighting aircraft to France.
   
• Italy firefighting aircraft industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% in the forecast period. With the threat of wildfires, the country witness more firefighting aircraft requirement. For instance, Italian National Fire Corps placed an order with Leonardo for the supply of 8 AW139. This aircraft will be used for aerial firefighting and rescue operations in the mountains.
   
• Spain market was valued at USD 35.6 million in 2024. Spain is also investing in firefighting aircraft as it closely looks the rising threat of wildfires in the country. In April 2024, Spanish government that the EU is going to add 7 DHC-515 aircraft to their amphibious water bombing fleet. Spain will purchase 5 aircraft directly and remaining 2 will be funded by RescEU.
   

Asia Pacific firefighting aircraft market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.1% between 2025 – 2034. The region is witnessing growth in firefighters as the fire events are rising and with the increase in pressure for reduction of environment depletion, there is growing investing in the region.
 

• China industry was valued at USD 64.6 million in 2024.China has been focusing on strengthening forest and grassland fire prevention and control. This has led to an increase in capacity of firefighting aircraft as the country announced plans in May 2023 to deploy over 6,000 firefighters and 10 helicopters to high risk fire zones.
   
• By 2034, India market is anticipated to grow and reach a value of USD 30.1 million. The fire events in this country is expected to increase the demand of firefighters aircraft as there are much loads on Army to tackle the fires Recently the Coonoor forest in south India was engulfed with wildfire for which the Indian Airforce deployed Mi-17 V5 helicopters which used Bambi Buckets and poured 4000 gallons over flames.
   
• Japan industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.7% in the forecast period. Japan with its geographical challenges uplifts the market for operations specifically used to tackle fires using amphibious plane and helicopters.
   
• South Korea market was valued at USD 7.8 million in 2024. South Korea has been actively progressing as the fire incidents are unpredictable and can happen at any time. The country with the recue program service, Republic of Korea’s 119 which has T650-E aerial firefighting tank system has seen an increment of the deployment of such services within the country.
   
• The firefighting aircraft market in Australia, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% in the forecast period. The country has increased its firefighting fleet to protect the land against fire. For instance, in November 2024 Western Australia deployed aerial firefighting fleet which consist of 2 serial strike teams managed by Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DEFS) to protect grain harvest during the fire prone season. The waterbombers can fly at a speed of 280 Km/hour and can deliver around 3,150 liters of water, foam or fire retardant and reduce the time of reloading and refueling.
   

In Latin America, the firefighting aircraft industry is expected to grow and reach a value of USD 368.5 million by 2034. There are ongoing efforts within the region to support the firefighting operations. Coulson Aviation announced successful contract with Chile’s National Forest Corporation (CONAF) through its strategic partnership with BRYSA. It includes diversifying the fleet such as Boeing 737 FireLiner, etc.
 

• Mexico market was valued at USD 23.3 million in 2024.Wildfires in this country has exceeded the previous record and constituted a total area of 1,672,216 hectares burned in the country.Top of Form This reflects the rising need of firefighting aircraft in the country to reduce the fire events and minimize the loss.
   
• Brazil industry is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% for the forecast period. The country is investing are developing its firefighting capacity by acquiring a system for tackling the fires. Brazilian Air Force (BAF) acquired the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS II) which releases large volume of water and help its KC-390 multi-mission aircraft to combat the wildfires.
   
• In Argentina firefighting aircraft industry is predicted to reach a value of USD 63.4 million by 2034. The need to meet the needs of Argentina wildfire is growing and thus providing opportunities for the firefighting aircraft to grow. Argentina made a four-month contract in January 2023 with Coulson’s CH-47 helitankers to provide quicker response to large scale wildfires.
   

MEA firefighting aircraft market is expected to grow and reach a value of USD 95.2 million by 2034. Since the middle east region has lesser water bodies as compared to other regions across the world, the aircraft types such as C27J act as a complementary solution supported by increase in efficiency of air attacks against fire. This provides region open to innovation in firefighting aircraft which will help mitigate the fires.
 

• In Saudi Arabia market is anticipated to grow and reach a value of USD 34.6 million by 2034. The country has provided growing opportunities for firefighting aircraft as they are using Air Tractor 802 for performing firefighting operations.
   
• UAE market is projected to grow at a CARG of 5.5% by 2034. The increase in urban fire incidents has produced concern for UAE and to tackle such growing issues needs a solution for aircraft to be deployed at a quicker pace to help neutralize any fire events which can be dangerous and time taking for ground force to reach.
   
• South Africa firefighting aircraft industry is predicted to grow and reach a market value of USD 17.8 million by 2034. With the country’s rising bushfire, it is creating demand for firefighting aircraft. The use of helicopters is increasing to battle against the Western Cape during the summer seasons. This increases the popularity of firefighting aircraft in the country.
   

Firefighting Aircraft Market Share

The market is highly competitive, and the nature of market is fragmented. Lockheed Martin Corporation, Textron Inc., Airbus, Leonardo S.p.A. make about 65% of market share. The manufactures of firefighting aircraft forms collaboration with the government and other forest fire agencies and supporting them to configure the fire intensity and quickly deploying the aircraft for the extinguishing operations.
 

The police and fire department need aircraft that can mitigate the growing risk of wildfire like the one recently wildfire season of Loss Angeles. For instance, in August 2024, the Arizona police department announced that they will be using Textron’s Bell 505 to support the firefighting.
 

With the rising threat of wildfire these companies are also testing their capabilities to support the fire events which can damage the fertile land and even harm the humans. For instance, in December 2023 Airbus Defense and Space announced that it has conducted new flight test of its A400M which dropped 20,000 litres of retardants over 400-meter-long ground. These steps signifies that the companies are developing solutions with the aircraft to help suppress the wildland fires.
 

The strategic plan of the companies revolves around manufacturing firefighting aircrafts that have better efficiency and payload capabilities so that the aircrafts and helicopters quickly respond to the emergency of any outbreak of fire in the forest or wildland areas. Companies are also focusing on advancing the existing technologies in the aircraft for the purpose of supporting the ground force with real time communication of the prevailing scenario of the fires.
 

Lockheed Martin Corporation is a dominating player in the firefighting aircraft market due to its wider reach as defense contractor across the globe. The company leverages AI and autonomous technology to suppress the wildfire in the region. For instance, in November 2024, Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin and Rain, a developer of autonomous technology demonstrated the that how the Black Hawk can be commanded to identify the correct location and put off the fire by pouring water accurately to suppress the flame.
 

Leonardo S.p.A is also a prominent player in the firefighting aircraft that supports the government and forest services to mitigate the fire in the area. Aircrafts from this company such as AW119K and C-27J are helping various countries that are more prone to fire seasons in reducing the loss. The aircraft acts quickly whenever such situation of fires occurs and provide aid to the areas as well.
 

Firefighting Aircraft Market Companies

List of prominent players in the operating in the firefighting aircraft industry include:

• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Textron Inc.
• Airbus
• Leonardo S.p.A.
• Air Tractor, Inc.
   

Firefighting Aircraft Industry News

• In May 2023, Rain Aero, saucerful equipped small rotorcraft drone and full-sized Black Hawk helicopters with kit that allows remote operation. The aim was to deploy the drones in areas which are more prone to fire around California so that automatically alertness is raised, and fire retardants are deployed ahead of flames.
   
• In January 2024, Cargolux announced the launch of a new business unit, Aquarius Aerial Firefighting which will operate a fleet of 12 Air Tractor AT-802F Fire Boss Aircraft out of which first 3 aircraft have been already delivered. The company aims to assist the fire wildfire.
   
• In December 2024, Aero-Flite Inc. announced the completion of second hangar in Washington which enables the company to meet the increase demand of Dash 8-400 airtanker. The company added 36,800 sq ft of new facility which is besides its old facility.
   
• In November 2024, Conair Group Inc. made an expansion in its in-house ability to perform Non- Destructive Testing (NDT) on the aerial firefighting aircraft over a fleet of 55 planes. This helped the company to reduce dependency on third party providers and enabled them to schedule complete inspections between fire season contract periods. This also helped in ensuring that the air tankers, water scoopers and bird dog lead planes are available to the government agencies when needed.
   

The firefighting aircraft market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates and forecast in terms of revenue in USD Million from 2021 – 2034 for the following segments:

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Market, By Aircraft

• Helicopter
  • Type 1
  • Type 2
  • Type 3 
• Fixed wing aircraft
• Unmanned aerial vehicles

Market, By Water Capacity

• Less Than 5,000 Liters
• 5,000–10,000 Liters
• More Than 10,000 Liters

Market, By End use

• Government
• Private contractors

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America 
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe 
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
• Asia Pacific 
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea
• Latin America 
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• Middle East and Africa 
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE