July 20, 2023: according to the Rostov Oblast Department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation, two multipurpose amphibians BE-200ES, produced by
Beriev in Taganrog were assigned to help fighting forest wildfires in Turkey with regard to the request of the Turkish side. The aircraft have departed for the cities of Mugla and Izmir.
A disastrous forest fire broke out in the southeast of Turkey on July 16. As a result, some residents of Hatay Province were evacuated. Earlier this month, wildfires hit the Turkish provinces of Izmir, Mugla, Antalya, Balikesir, and Kahramanmaras.
The Be-200 is a large aircraft that has the ability, among others, to take off and land in water, scoop up 12 tons of water and then drop that water on a wildfire in 18 seconds. One fuelling is enough for dropping up to 270 tons of water. Beriev's Be-200 also can drop fire retardant chemicals and deliver cargo, firefighters and other emergency equipment where they are needed. The airplane has a pressurized cabin and can be fitted with seats to carry passengers. The ES series is equipped with all-glass cockpit containing inscriptions in English and equipment optimized for tropical climate.
It is noteworthy that BE-200ES had already been engaged in fire-fighting missions in Turkey in
2019,
2020 and
2021.
