NEW PANTHER FIRE TRUCK FLEET RECEIVED AT RAAF BASE AMBERLEY

Greg Combet, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, today announced the official handover of Panther Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

The handover ceremony was held at RAAF Security and Fire School in Amberley today, in conjunction with the Graduation Ceremony of the first Fire Fighter Basic Course to train on the Panther.

Mr Combet said that “under Joint Project 2095 16 Panther ARFF vehicles are being procured to upgrade the current rescue and fire fighting capability available to the RAAF. 

“The Panther vehicles are able to rapidly traverse an airfield by crossing drains, fences and small obstacles. They are equipped with a large capacity tank and high volume pumps to deliver sufficient fire retardant in order to rescue passengers and aircrew and prevent the spread of fire to other aircraft and airfield infrastructure.

“The Panther vehicles will also enhance the ADF's capability to support a rapidly changing aircraft fleet, including the C-17 Globemaster III and the KC-30B Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT),” said Mr Combet.

Mr Neumann, the Federal Member for Blair, said that he was very happy with about the Panther vehicles coming to RAAF Base Amberley.

“These vehicles will provide an essential capability for the RAAF and will help provide for the safety of the ADF members working at the RAAF Base,” said Mr Neumann.

The vehicles are being procured from Rosenbauer International by the Defence Materiel Organisation.

Media contacts:

Rod Hilton (Greg Combet):             02 6277 4771 or 0458 276 619

Jessica Hill (Shayne Neumann)   0488 076 420

Defence Media Liaison:                  02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664