The UK generally doesn't need aerial firefighting capabilities. If we bought such Aircraft, they would likely only be used once every 10 years. You don't buy Aircraft for something that might happen once every 10 years though, it just doesn't make sense, especially because, with Aircraft, you need to keep crews hours up on them (so they actually know how to fly them safely), and also make sure they are maintained to the highest possible standards, all at vast expense.Redirect Left wrote:I'm not even sure if the UK has any firefighting helicopters that can aim a water spurt, instead of just dumping it downwards directly.Train<In>Vain wrote:I wonder if a couple of fire fighting helicopters could have stopped the fire from spreading thru the cladding.
Aerial firefighting is more common in places with wildfires, such as the US state of California, or Australia. Not sure if the UK has any of any type in regular usage.
Whilst you could potentially lease them out to other countries (to both pay for the maintenance, and as an easy way to keep crews hours up), you've then got the issue that the Aircraft aren't where you need them, when you need them, so they might as well not be there anyway.