The Spanish Sumar Parliamentary Group has proposed a partial lifting of sanctions on Russia in order to guarantee the use of Russian Kamov Ka-32s for fighting forest fires in Spain.

This was part of a proposal presented for debate in the Congressional Transportation Commission and in a written parliamentary question, both from Sumar. The motion urged the Spanish Government to partially lift the sanctions on Russia so that the fleet of Kamov Ka32-11BCs can continue operating in Spain.

In 2023, only three of the eight helicopters contracted by Spain were available and by 2024 there are no Russian helicopters available. An attempt has been made to replace the Russian aircraft but without success.

A Spanish Government spokesperson confirmed that “The availability of Kamov helicopters has been affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the economic sanctions imposed by the European Union so the necessary spare parts for its maintenance cannot be obtained or Russian mechanics and technicians authorized to carry out the necessary inspections. Regarding the granting of an exemption it should be noted that this exemption is not the responsibility of the Spanish Government but the European Union. We are studying the availability in the international market of other aircraft that could replace the Kamov Ka32-11BC.”