Australian CH-47D Chinook gives France its first nighttime waterbombing capability

France carried out its first nighttime aerial firefighting drops on the night of August 17-18, 2026. The aircraft used was an Australian CH-47D Chinook, stationed at Mont-de-Marsan since early August. According to the report, no aircraft previously in French service could do this job.

France's civil protection agency, the Sécurité Civile, normally relies on Canadair CL-415 water bombers and Dash 8 aircraft. Both are limited to daytime operations. When fires kept burning after dark, ground crews had reportedly been left to manage alone until aircraft could resume drops at dawn.

The Chinook was supplied by the New South Wales Rural Fire Service and is operated by Coulson Aviation. It is fitted with an internal tank holding 11,300 liters of water or retardant, rather than the 10,000-liter suspended bucket it previously used. The New South Wales government had said in December 2024 that the bucket configuration was unsafe for night flying or for use over populated areas.

With the slung load removed, the aircraft reportedly handles more predictably and can deliver more accurate drops, either in one release or spread along a fire line. Its tank can refill in around 90 seconds by suction, and needs only shallow water access to do so.

Two Royal Australian Air Force C-17 transport aircraft delivered the Chinook and a Bell 412 helicopter, both in kit form, to Mont-de-Marsan in early August 2026, where they were reassembled. The aircraft arrived along with a support contingent of Australian aviation personnel, according to the account.