Game-Changer: FIREHAWK Helicopters Arrive in Europe for 2025 Wildfire Fight
- Ritambhara K
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
In a major milestone for Europe’s wildfire defense efforts, PZL Mielec, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), has signed a groundbreaking agreement with Česká Letecká Servisní (CLS) and the Czech Republic Ministry of Interior to deliver two state-of-the-art Sikorsky S-70 FIREHAWK helicopters—the first international fleet of its kind.
For years, FIREHAWK helicopters have been at the forefront of battling extreme wildfires across the United States, proving their reliability in the harshest conditions. Their arrival in Europe comes at a crucial moment: the 2025 wildfire season has been the continent’s worst on record, with more than 1 million hectares scorched. This unprecedented devastation underscores the urgent need for fast, capable, and dependable aerial firefighting assets.
Backed by the European Commission’s RescEU program, the new FIREHAWKs will be stationed in the Czech Republic and made available to support emergency response missions across Europe. The Ministry of Interior also retains the option to acquire a third FIREHAWK in the future, further strengthening the region’s resilience.
“As wildfires increasingly threaten communities across Europe, we are proud that PZL Mielec can provide such advanced helicopters to keep residents, resources, and infrastructure safe for decades to come,” said Janusz Zakręcki, president and general director of PZL Mielec.
“This helicopter, produced in Poland, is a clear example of how our technology supports critical wildfire and emergency response efforts, and we look forward to expanding the fleet’s reach into new countries.”
The FIREHAWK begins its life as a Black Hawk helicopter, built at PZL Mielec’s modern production facility in Poland. Each aircraft represents the combined expertise of hundreds of engineers, technicians, and specialists dedicated to ensuring unmatched safety and reliability. As one of Poland’s leading defense exporters, PZL Mielec supports a robust European supply chain, employing 1,700 workers and sustaining nearly 5,000 jobs through 1,200 regional suppliers.
“Bringing the FIREHAWK to Europe marks a major leap forward for wildfire and emergency response capabilities,” said Dr. Dennis Goege, Lockheed Martin’s vice president and chief executive for Europe. “By combining the helicopter’s proven performance with the expertise of European responders, we can better manage the escalating threat of wildfires.”
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CLS CEO Monika Kowalczykova echoed this excitement, emphasizing the FIREHAWK’s unmatched versatility: “We are proud to partner with PZL Mielec and United Rotorcraft to bring this revolutionary aerial firefighting capability to Europe for the first time. The FIREHAWK’s ability to operate in demanding environments will give European communities a powerful new tool in combating destructive wildfires.”
The transformation from Black Hawk to FIREHAWK takes place exclusively at United Rotorcraft in the United States. The Colorado-based company has delivered 28 FIREHAWKs to U.S. public safety agencies, with five more currently in production. For the first European delivery, United Rotorcraft will collaborate with CLS to complete the aircraft locally.
“We’re thrilled to see the FIREHAWK make its European debut,” said Larry Alexandre, president of United Rotorcraft. “Working with CLS on this first build outside Colorado is an exciting new chapter.”
Equipped with a 1,000-gallon (3,785-liter) water tank, retractable snorkel, twin-turbine engine, and night-vision capability, the FIREHAWK is engineered to attack fires before they escalate. U.S. agencies rely on these helicopters around the clock—even in conditions that force other aircraft to stand down—making them indispensable assets for rapid wildfire response.
Today, 28 FIREHAWK helicopters serve firefighting teams across California and Colorado, including the Los Angeles County Fire Department, CAL FIRE, Ventura County, Santa Barbara, Orange County Fire Authority, and the Colorado Division of Fire Protection and Control.
In an exciting step toward the future, Sikorsky and CAL FIRE have also launched a new initiative exploring advanced innovations in aerial firefighting—including the potential development of an autonomous FIREHAWK helicopter.
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