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Australia Strengthens Bushfire Response with New Large Air Tanker and Black Hawk Helicopters
Australia has expanded its aerial firefighting capabilities this season by adding a large air tanker that can drop up to 15,000 litres of water or fire retardant onto bushfires. The aircraft, which arrived from Fiji on Thursday, will head directly to Western Australia, where the bushfire season is already underway and made more volatile by looming heatwave conditions.
Historical Context: Lessons from the 2019–20 Bushfires
Australia has a long history of bushfires, but it was the catastrophic 2019–20 “Black Summer” fires that underscored the urgent need for more robust, year-round firefighting resources. During that period, blazes scorched millions of hectares across multiple states, leading to the loss of human life, widespread property damage, and severe environmental impact. In response, the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements recommended that Australia maintain firefighting capabilities on a 12-month basis, rather than rely solely on seasonal leases.
Year-Round Support for All States
This newly arrived large air tanker will be available for use across Australia’s states and territories throughout the year—a significant shift from the traditional system, where many aircraft were leased only during peak fire seasons. By ensuring that heavy-duty water bombers remain on call at all times, emergency services gain faster response options and better coordination in combating bushfires, regardless of which state faces the greatest threat.
Boosting Western Australia’s Firefighting Efforts
Western Australia (WA) has already experienced several serious fires in recent months. With more dangerous conditions expected as the hot Australian summer unfolds, the state’s firefighting fleet is being reinforced with two Black Hawk helicopters, loaned from the United States and New Zealand. These versatile choppers can operate for up to 10 hours a day with the support of mobile fuel trucks, and they excel at sourcing water from small reservoirs or collar tanks—an advantage when compared to larger aircraft that require bigger water bodies.
“Usually, we lease craft for our bushfire season proper,”
Emergency Management Minister Bridget McKenzie told radio station 2GB.
“But the Royal Commission into Natural Disasters said we really need that capability on the ground 12 months of the year.”
WA Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm welcomed the boost in resources:
“The drop capacity these aircraft provide is substantial, and their agility…will provide emergency services with more versatility fighting fires. The Black Hawks are welcome additions to the aerial fleet and will play key roles in keeping Western Australians safe this bushfire season.”
Naming the Aircraft: Engaging Local Communities
In a bid to involve rural and regional Australians, especially younger generations, officials have asked students in grades 5–8 to suggest a name for the new large air tanker. According to Minister McKenzie, this initiative not only builds community engagement but also serves as a timely reminder for families to have a bushfire plan in place.
“They’re all in communities and homes that are now supposed to be writing their fire plans, so it’s really raising awareness that it’s everybody’s business to be prepared for natural disasters,” McKenzie said.
National Benefit
Although the new tanker and Black Hawk helicopters are initially stationed in WA, their year-round availability means they can be rapidly deployed to other parts of Australia when critical fire emergencies arise. By spreading resources more effectively—and taking lessons from past disasters—Australia aims to reduce the devastating effects of future bushfires.
With these enhanced capabilities and the ongoing focus on community readiness, the country is better positioned to protect lives, property, and wildlife from the intensifying threat of bushfire.
