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Australia is sending a CH-47D Chinook helicopter and a Bell 412 reconnaissance and support aircraft as well as aerial firefighting assets and teams to support the response to wildfires in France.
The CH-47D Chinook helicopter, equipped with an 11,300-litre water tank, and Bell 412 reconnaissance and support aircraft will be deployed to France, accompanied by 24 highly skilled aerial and ground crew from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service.
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The assistance is being provided in response to a request from the French Government. It will be delivered in close partnership with the Australian Defence Force, which will support the rapid deployment of personnel, aircraft and equipment through strategic airlift and logistics.
Together, they will support around-the-clock firefighting operations, providing much-needed relief to emergency services responding on the ground, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles.
“Australia and France work closely together in our region, and we are proud to be supporting them now during their time of need,” Deputy PM Marles said.
“The Australian Defence Force will make an important contribution to these efforts, using its assets to help get assistance to where it’s needed.”
The wildfires in France are among the worst the country has experienced in decades, driven by multiple active fire fronts and a prolonged summer heatwave.
The NSW RFS is internationally recognised as an expert in bushfire management and represents the very best of Australian emergency management capability.
“France is a close and valued friend of Australia, and we stand with the French people as they respond to these devastating wildfires,” according to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong.
“The scale of these fires is immense, and it is in moments like these that the strength of our partnership and solidarity is most evident.”
The deployment of RFS personnel, the Chinook and Bell 412 support aircraft accompany ongoing work of a Marie Bashir large air tanker in the US to deliver support during major fire emergencies.
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