Russia provides two Be-200 aircraft on Portuguese fire-fighting mission

Russia provides two Be-200 aircraft on Portuguese fire-fighting mission

Portugal has asked Russia for help in extinguishing forest fires and Russia is happy to help out, head of the press service of the Russian Emergencies Ministry Alexei Vagutovich said, Sputnik reports.

“Yesterday, Portugal sent a request to Russia, asking for help in extinguishing forest fires. As the Russian Emergencies Ministry, we are always ready to help but only if we will receive the go-ahead from the government,” said Vagutovich.

Earlier today, Portuguese newspaper Publico announced that two Russian Be-200 fire-fighting planes will arrive on Saturday morning (1 pm) to Portugal to help extinguish forest fires, citing the Ministry of Internal Administration of Portugal.

The planes, which are able to carry 12,000 liters of water, will be based at Monte Real in Leiria. They are scheduled to being their operations in Portugal tomorrow.  
The Beriev Be-200 Altair plane is one of the world’s most effective aircraft in extinguishing forest fires. The plane splashes down on a lake and, in a few seconds, takes in up to 12.5 tonnes of water, which it then drops over the fire.

“The aircraft’s crew is used to working in difficult conditions and has extensive experience fighting fires. Emergencies Ministry aviation was used in other countries as well such as Serbia, Greece, Chernogoria and others,” Sputnik quoted a source at the Emergencies Ministry.

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