Montenegro, with its population of 600,000 and air force of 10 aircraft in total can afford two dedicated firefighting aircraft. Why can't we? If cash is that tight, fund it with an insurance levy in high bushfire risk areas.
In the past, at least in NSW, this was more because Koperberg doesn't like aircraft than because aircraft were actually unaffordable.
Problem I see with the 215/415 is a lack of lakes to scoop water from, and and in many cases long distances from the coast to the fireground.
Despite the smaller capacity of something like an AT-802F compared with a CL-415, given that you'd need to fill the aircraft on the ground 99% of the time anyway, wouldn't the turnaround time be lot faster on an AT-802? There is also already plenty of qualified aircrew for that type. You can also buy several 802F's for the price of a CL-415.
Last edited by bankrunner; 24th Oct 2013 at 23:27.