WA Police Force will become the first law enforcement jurisdiction in the Asia Pacific to operate a new state-of-the-art five bladed H145 helicopter.
Police Minister Michelle Roberts today announced Airbus Australia Pacific as the successful proponent to build Police Airwing’s next generation helicopter.
WA Police Force will be the first customer in Australia to receive this new model helicopter, meaning police officers across the State will have access to the newest and most advanced air support technology available.
Perhaps the greatest capability of the new police aircraft will be its ability to deploy rapidly.
This is especially important in emergency situations including traffic pursuits, where community and police officer safety is most at risk.
The H145 quick start-up procedure allows crews to be airborne within two minutes once the preparatory phase is complete, compared to the 10 minutes it currently takes the existing WA Police Force helicopter fleet to respond.
Funding of $26.9 million has been provided to the WA Police Force to purchase the new helicopter.
The new helicopter will replace the almost 30-year-old Kawasaki BK117, which has reached the end of its useful life.
WA Police Force is scheduled to take delivery of the new helicopter in September 2022.
As stated by Police and Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts:
“A critical role for this helicopter is to save lives, so it’s important that it can be deployed as quickly as possible.
“Our police will now have a modern, new multi-role helicopter that will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and specialist mission systems to support a broad range of police operations both day and night, across the State.
“Along with our significant expansion of the aerial drone fleet, the McGowan Government is making sure that our police can have as strong a presence in the air as they do on the ground.”
