- Australian-first twin-engine aircraft bolsters Western Australia Police Air Wing fleet
- New jet allows Police to respond to critical incidents across the State faster
- Travel times to some regional locations can be reduced by up to 50 per cent
- Part of the Cook Labor Government’s commitment putting WA first and to keeping Western Australia’s growing community safe
The Cook Labor Government has delivered the latest addition to the Western Australia Police Force Air Wing fleet that will enhance its ability to respond to critical incidents faster across the State.
The Pilatus PC-24 business jet is a twin-engine aircraft, the first of its kind for WA Police and the only aircraft of its type operated by an Australian law enforcement agency.
This aircraft will help bolster the WA Police Force’s ability to rapidly respond to emergencies across regional WA, such as critical incidents, major investigations, and natural disasters throughout the state.
Selected for its reliability and ability to land on short sealed and unsealed runways, the PC-24 can access many regional and remote airstrips beyond the reach of conventional jets, allowing personnel and equipment to be deployed directly to locations that are otherwise inaccessible or impractical to reach via commercial air services.
Capable of flying higher, faster, and further than existing Air Wing aircraft, the PC-24 can reduce travel times to some regional locations by up to 50 per cent. For example, flights between Perth and Kununurra can be completed in approximately three hours.
The aircraft can carry up to eight passengers, has a range of approximately 3,700 kilometres, and is also capable of single-pilot operations, providing greater flexibility across a range of operational tasks.
Fitted with a large aft cargo door, the Pilatus PC-24 allows specialist equipment, operational resources, and emergency supplies to be transported quickly and efficiently when required.
Following final commissioning, the aircraft is expected to enter operational service in the coming weeks.
The new jet is a key example of the Cook Labor Government’s commitment to putting WA first, keeping Western Australia’s growing community safe, and providing WA Police the resources it needs to respond to critical incidents.
Comments attributed to Police Minister Reece Whitby:
“The Cook Labor Government is committed to ensuring Western Australia is a safe place to live while also boosting emergency response capability, and this new Pilatus PC-24 business jet delivers on both these priorities.
“Western Australia is the world’s largest single police jurisdiction, and time is critical when it comes to responding to emergencies across the State and I’m so proud to deliver this new aircraft for the community and Police which will be significant for the regions.
“Slashing travel times to some regional locations by up to 50 per cent will allow our Police Force to deploy officers on the ground faster to ensure any community facing an emergency the protection they deserve.”
As stated by Police Commissioner Col Blanch:
“The PC-24 is a genuine game changer for WA Police. Its ability to access remote airstrips across Western Australia, operate with a single pilot and rapidly deploy specialist teams means we can respond faster and more effectively wherever we’re needed.
“In a State as large and diverse as ours, every minute counts. This aircraft will significantly cut travel times, allowing our officers to spend less time in transit and more time protecting communities, supporting emergency operations, and delivering frontline policing to Western Australians, wherever they may be in the State.”
