Police will slash the time it will take to fly anywhere in WA by half, after a multi-million dollar funding boost for a new state of the art plane.
Police Minister Paul Papalia on Thursday announced the $15.8 million spend for the four-year lease of the new Pilatus PC-24 to be based at Police Air Wing headquarters in Jandakot, and to refurbish the unit’s existing fleet.
Mr Papalia said the plane could fly anywhere in the State in three hours — half that of the six hours it takes the force’s current PC-12 aircrafts.
“We are a third of the continent. This jurisdiction is the biggest subnational police jurisdiction in the world,” he said.
“This means that out for the first time, our regional communities will be given every bit of support, every speed of response with police capabilities that is afforded to our metropolitan community.”
Mr Papalia said the PC-24 was capable of landing on dirt tracks and airstrips and could carry up to eight officers at once, as well as their equipment.
“It can be loaded with teams of Tactical Response Group officers, homicide detectives, forensic specialists — any police capabilities can be deployed anywhere in the State in very short time frames,” he said.
The PC-12s will be refurbished and upgraded and will remain part of the Police Air Wing fleet.
Mr Papalia said the PC-24 was the same aircraft used by the Royal Flying Doctors and that WA Police could work with that agency on training and maintenance.
WA and Queensland Police are the only forces in the nation that have jets.
The jet is anticipated to be used for both responses to natural disasters and criminal investigations and will be available to WA Police by early to mid 2026.
Deputy Police Commissioner Kylie Whiteley said the new jet was a significant boost to aerial response capability.
“As the State’s population continues to grow, including in regional and remote parts of the State, the range of incidents being responded to are expected to become more diverse and require more specialist support from Perth-based units,” she said.
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