The three new Bell 429s will replace two ageing MBB Bo105s (above). Photo: Queensland Police.
The Southeast Queensland Police Air (POLAIR) fleet will soon gain new advanced aerial capabilities with the delivery of three new Bell 429 helicopters to replace two older MBB Bo105 aircraft and increase the fleet size by 50 per cent.
The service entry comes two and a half years after the acquisition of the new helicopters was announced in July 2022. They were initially expected to be delivered by the end of 2023, but unspecified delays saw this slip into mid-2024.
The new helicopters will feature improved safety, new technologies, and camera and night-vision capabilities. The technology will assist police in tracking vehicles and fleeing offenders, and locating missing persons.
Two of the new helicopters have arrived and are being finalised for service, with the third currently undergoing final testing before delivery to POLAIR.
The State Government says these new machines are just the beginning of the QPS aerial capability expansion across Queensland, with announcements for funding of new police aerial capabilities for the Townsville, Cairns/Far North and the Sunshine Coast/Wide Bay regions.
An interim police aerial capability for Townsville entered service earlier this year, and a tender process is underway to make this capability permanent. Tenders are also underway for the initial interim police aerial capability in each of the Cairns/Far North and Sunshine Coast/Wide Bay regions.
Premier Steven Miles said all Queenslanders expected to feel safe at home, at the shops and in their community.
“That’s why my government is boosting our POLAIR fleet here in Brisbane and around the state,” he said.
“It’s all part of our Community Safety Plan for Queensland, backed by $1.3 billion in real funding. My plan will deliver more police, more resources and better police infrastructure because that’s what police saw will make a difference.
“Police have already seen some early signs that the tide is turning on crime as a result of targeted, high-visibility policing, so expect to see even more.”
Police and Corrective Services Minister Mark Ryan said increasing the SEQ POLAIR fleet by 50 per cent would significantly increase the operational capacity for police.
“The government’s investment in these helicopters is about stopping criminals in their tracks, and ensuring they are brought before the courts,” he said.
“I acknowledge the foresight of QPU president Ian Leavers in advocating for the establishment of this capability over a decade ago. This capability has changed policing for the better and it’s an essential resource for a contemporary police service.”
The NSW Police Force operates three Bell 429s from its Bankstown, Sydney, base. Photo: NSW Police Air Wing.
Queensland Commissioner of Police Steve Gollschewski said the POLAIR capability could significantly enhance police operations and support ground-based personnel.
“Having the ability to deploy an aerial asset is game-changing for a lot of the jobs the QPS attend,” he said.
“The more assistance we can provide our frontline crews, the higher our chances are of resolving critical incidents and keeping the community safe.
“The three new helicopters are a fantastic addition to the POLAIR fleet.”
Three Bell 429s are also operated by the NSW Police Air Wing, based at Bankstown Airport in Sydney.
