Ukraine Sends An-32P Firefighting Aircraft to Assist Portugal in Combating Forest Fires

Ukraine has offered to assist Portugal in combating large-scale forest fires.

Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko announced that a firefighting plane from the State Emergency Service will be sent to Portugal.

“The State Emergency Service has a specialized firefighting plane and trained specialists to operate in such conditions,” Klymenko stated.

On behalf of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he met with António Vasco Alves Machado, the Ambassador of Portugal to Ukraine.

“Portugal is currently experiencing extensive fires in the central and northern regions, resulting in casualties and injuries. The heat and strong winds are complicating firefighting efforts,” Klymenko added.

The Minister of Internal Affairs emphasized that during the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian rescuers gained unique experience in emergency situations.

In Portugal, thousands of firefighters have been deployed to fight large-scale forest fires. Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro declared a state of natural disaster in the regions most affected by the wildfires.

To fight such fires, Ukrainian rescuers have a special An-32P aircraft.

This Ukrainian firefighting aircraft is based on the AN-32 plane. The aircraft is equipped with 4 external removable tanks with a capacity of 2000 liters each.

The extinguishing agent can be discharged from all tanks simultaneously or alternately with a specified interval.

Since 2022, the aviation units of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, which were relocated from Nizhyn, have been operating within the European Union. In total, four AN-32P aircraft have been part of the special aviation detachment of the SES since 2008. In 2021, the Antonov Company received an order to supply AN-32P aircraft valued at UAH 470 million.

Prior to the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian An-32Ps were involved in firefighting in various countries. In 2021, Ukraine sent firefighting aircraft to Turkey to extinguish forest fires.