Slovenia builds aerial firefighting capacities

On 11 June 2025, Slovenia officially completed the project Building aerial firefighting capacity as part of its efforts to enhance preparedness and response in the face of natural disasters, particularly in the event of massive wildfires. As part of the project, the country purchased two twin-seat and two single-seat Air Tractor AT-802 planes to build its aerial firefighting fleet.  

Slovenia initiated the project after one of the most devastating wildfires in the history of Slovenia hit the region of Karst in July 2022. The massive wildfire revealed a great lack of adequate firefighting equipment to support aerial firefighting operations. At the time, it became clear that Slovenia’s aerial firefighting capacity was far from adequate and that dedicated firefighting capabilities were needed. The government launched procedures to build aerial firefighting capacities with support from 2021-2027 cohesion policy funding.

The project was implemented under Slovenia’s EU Cohesion Policy Programme 2021-2027 which is managed by the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development. The application for funding was submitted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning, while the beneficiary was the Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief at the Ministry of Defence.

Defence minister mag. Borut Sajovic explained that the planes could scoop up to 12,000 litres of water in several minutes, thus helping firefighters on the fireground. He underlined the importance of investing in technical capacities, ensuring the country was now much better prepared to face natural disasters, and said that the project was a testament to rapid and efficient absorption of EU funding.  

Director-General of the Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, Mr Leon Behin was pleased that the project, a joint work of several ministries and other partners, was completed in a short period of time. ‘’It took us only a year and a half to set up an aerial firefighting unit, purchase water bombers that were in operation already last year and draw up all financial and control reports. Four of our pilots have already undergone extensive training to fly water bombers.’’   

The project cost a total of 23,292,932.69 million euros. The European Union co-financing rate stood at 85%, Slovenia secured 15% of this amount.   

The project aims to help the country reduce the risk of natural disasters, while strengthening the resilience and preparedness of the civil protection and disaster relief system in the face of increasingly frequent climate challenges. At the same time, the aerial firefighting fleet has become part of the common aerial firefighting fleet of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and is able to help other EU countries in the fight against wildfires.

On this occasion, Ms Sofia Alves, Director at the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, stressed the importance of inter-country solidarity and the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, underscoring that climate change and disasters know no borders. In times of major disasters, countries should help each other and Slovenia’s disaster management capacity is an important piece of the puzzle in securing a safe future for all EU citizens under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

State Secretary Koprivc underlined that Slovenia was committed to making further efforts to advance climate action and build disaster resilience, including with support from the European Union, to secure a safer and more sustainable future not only for Slovenians but also for all European citizens. Looking at the planes, he added: ‘’It is thanks to these water bombers that Slovenian citizens can feel safer.’’

Photo: Neja Pavlica