May 31, 2023 - Commissioner for crisis management Janez Lenarcic handed the director of civil protection Damir Trut a decision on the allocation of funds for the purchase of two firefighting aircraft (Canadair) for Croatia's participation in rescEU capacities for aerial firefighting.

As Index / HRT write, the ceremony was held to mark the tenth anniversary of establishing the Emergency Response Coordination Center (ERCC) and the beginning of preparations for the new firefighting season. Croatia is one of the six countries that will each acquire two firefighting aircraft with a total value of 104 million euros.

Croatian civil protection cooperates with ERCC

The goal is to strengthen national and EU capacities and the ability to extinguish fires in open spaces. The ERCC is an operational segment of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which continuously monitors events around the world and coordinates the efforts of the European Union in responding to disasters.

The Civil Protection Operations Center of the Directorate of Civil Protection is in continuous contact with the ERCC. They work together to collect, analyze, process and distribute data, especially in providing or receiving international emergency aid in cases of disasters.

Croatia should receive the planes in 2028.

In addition to Croatia, five other Mediterranean countries are included in the project: Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Greece. Each country will receive two aircraft as part of this project. Since Greece and Spain are buying five more aircraft from their budgets, the total order will be 22 aircraft.

According to the existing delivery plan, Croatia should receive two new aircraft in 2028. This year, too, Croatia will participate in rescEU capacities with two of its Canadair aircraft, thus contributing to the strengthening of the ability to extinguish fires in open spaces. Operational costs for aircraft use are co-financed by the EC in the amount of EUR 1,800,000.00.

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