Kepplair Evolution Closes €5M Funding to Advance “Forest Keeper”

Kepplair Evolution Closes €5M Funding Round to Advance “Forest Keeper” Firefighting Aircraft

AeroMorning  January 2nd, 2025

French aerospace company Kepplair Evolution has successfully closed a €5 million funding round to accelerate the development of its aerial firefighting aircraft known as Forest Keeper, based on a converted ATR 72 cargo platform.

According to multiple industry sources, the financing round was officially closed on December 16, 2025. The funding package consists of €3 million raised through convertible bonds, launched in mid-2025, complemented by €2 million secured in a pre-Series A round, with participation from industrial investor Avico Group. This follows an earlier €1.5 million seed round completed in 2024.

A cargo-based, land-loaded firefighting concept

The Forest Keeper is not an amphibious scooper aircraft. Instead, it is based on a cargo-converted ATR 72, equipped with a modular internal firefighting system installed in the cargo hold.

Water or fire retardant is loaded on the ground, using dedicated infrastructure such as a pelicandrome, in line with conventional land-based aerial firefighting operations.
This approach allows Kepplair Evolution to:

• limit development and certification complexity,
• leverage a proven regional aircraft platform,
• deliver a cost-efficient and scalable solution to operators and public authorities.

The aircraft is designed to carry up to 7.5 tonnes of water or retardant, with rapid reconfiguration capability.

Multi-role aircraft and targeted entry into service in 2027

Beyond firefighting missions, Kepplair Evolution emphasizes the multi-role nature of the Forest Keeper. Outside wildfire seasons, the aircraft could be redeployed for cargo transport, humanitarian relief, medical evacuation, or civil protection missions, improving asset utilization and long-term operating economics.

The company is targeting entry into service by 2027, following prototype development and certification activities. Kepplair Evolution also plans to launch a larger Series A funding round to support industrialization and fleet deployment.

As climate change continues to drive increased wildfire frequency and intensity, the Forest Keeper program reflects a growing market demand for affordable, flexible, and quickly deployable aerial firefighting assets.