Tel Aviv. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), a world-class aerospace, and defence leader and Fire Free Forests (3F) have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) to co-develop a next-generation airborne firefighting platform to counter the growing global threat of wildfires, based on 767BDSF, a specially adapted version of IAI’s BEDEK Special Freighter.
This strategic collaboration marks a significant step in addressing the global fight against large-scale wildfires, which are intensifying due to climate change, posing severe environmental and economic risks and endangering human lives. The co-development of platform brings together IAI’s world-class aerospace engineering and aircraft conversion capabilities with 3F’s strategic vision, commercial leadership, and operational planning.
Under the MoU, IAI will lead the development of an integrated solution designed to extinguish massive fires from the air. This solution includes:
- 767FF Fire-Fighter specially adapted aircraft equipped to carry and precisely disperse ~40 tons of fire-retardant material to halt fire spread and aid in its suppression
- Advanced sensor systems for real-time detection and identification of fire origins, wind and ground conditions
- A centralised Command and Control system to coordinate all operational assets—both airborne and ground-based
3F will oversee the commercial strategy, including the development of a subscription-based service model for governmental agencies, reinsurers, and climate resilience programs. 3F will also be responsible for business planning, financing, and engagement with public-sector clients worldwide.
Boaz Levy, President and CEO of IAI, said, “As wildfires grow in frequency and intensity due to climate change, the need for innovative, large-scale solutions has never been more urgent. We are proud to apply our advanced engineering and aircraft conversion capabilities to help protect lives around the world and look forward to collaborating with 3F on this.”
Yaacov Berkovitz, Executive VP and General Manager of IAI’s Aviation, stated, “IAI continues to demonstrate its ability to develop cutting-edge solutions that address emerging global challenges and its unique capability to adapt airborne platforms into competent, mission-tailored solutions. This new firefighting platform fuses our world-leading expertise in aircraft conversion to deliver a highly effective response to climate-driven threats – a major leap forward in aerial firefighting capabilities.”
Marc Berdugo, Funding Partner at Fire Free Forests added, “This partnership reflects a shared ambition to bring to market the most effective and scalable aerial response to wildfires. Fire Free Forests aims to offer a decisive solution to the growing threat of mega-fires. On one hand, it is based on a substantial fleet of high-capacity firefighting aircraft. On the other, it introduces a cost-sharing model among major public stakeholders, through an innovative assistance and insurance approach. With IAI’s world-class technical expertise, we are confident in our ability to deliver a powerful public-good instrument to safeguard lives, forests, and biodiversity.”
The deployment plan for this new airborne firefighting platform envisions a phased rollout with progressive deployment milestones, supported by multiple international hubs in fire-prone regions, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Southern Europe.
As Israel’s aviation house, IAI’s aviation division encompasses all activities dealing with manned aircraft: MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul); executive aircraft; passenger-to-cargo aircraft conversion; aeronautical assemblies and structures; aircraft upgrades, and much more. With its groundbreaking technologies and building on accumulated knowledge and experience in the field of aviation stretching over 70 years, IAI is on par with the world’s leading aviation companies. IAI’s customers include many of the world’s largest companies, such as Amazon, Air Transport Services Group (ATSG), DHL, FedEx, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Gulfstream, and more.
