The Albanese Government is strengthening Australia’s aerial firefighting fleet ahead of this Higher Risk Weather Season to ensure Australia is prepared for severe weather and a supercharged El Niño event.
Through the 2026-27 Budget the Government has locked in more than $150 million over the next three years to support the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) and the national fleet, to ensure aircraft can be rapidly deployed wherever and whenever disasters strike.
This investment will fund national multi-use aircraft and supplement existing state and territory investments in their own aerial firefighting capabilities.
Each year, NAFC contracts approximately 169 aircraft on behalf of state and territory governments, providing a coordinated national fleet capable of responding to some of Australia’s most challenging emergencies.
This includes five aircraft funded by the Australian Government, including:
- 1 x National Large Air Tanker Lockheed C-130Q
- 1 x Birddog Cessna Citation 550
- 1 x Bell 214ST helicopter
- 2 x UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters
While these aircraft play a critical role in bushfire suppression, they also provide vital support during floods and other emergencies, including evacuations, resupplying isolated communities, logistics support and animal welfare operations such as fodder drops.
As communities across Australia prepare for the months ahead, the strengthened fleet will help ensure firefighters and emergency responders have the aerial support they need to protect lives, livelihoods and communities.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain
“Our National Aerial Firefighting Fleet is ready to respond quickly when and where it’s needed, helping protect communities during emergencies.
“The Albanese Government is committed to supporting communities impacted by bushfires and other natural disasters – whether that’s through our aerial capabilities, investment in risk reduction, our national messaging system AusAlert or our National Emergency Management Stockpile.
“The additional funding we’ve announced today will ensure aerial assets can be deployed right across the country, wherever they are needed.
“The fleet is in position and ready to respond to disasters this Higher Risk Weather Season.”
