The provincial government has finally awarded the contract to repair its fifth water bomber, but it comes with a nearly $15-million price tag.

The $14.8-million contract is with de Havilland Aircraft of Canada. PAL Aerospace, a subcontractor of that company, will carry out the work.

The aircraft was damaged in an incident on a pond on the Burin Peninsula back in 2018.

Opposition parties have long been calling for government to get the work carried out, especially with several serious wildfires in Labrador and central Newfoundland over the last number of years.

Government says the scope of the contract will address structural repairs and required maintenance, with the target being to have the bomber back in service in time for the 2026-2027 forest fire season.