Australia Strengthens PNG Police Air Capability with Helicopter Donation

Two Bell 412 helicopters have officially been added to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary fleet following their delivery from Australia, marking a major step forward in national policing capacity, according to the Australian High Commission in PNG.

 Australia Strengthens PNG Police Air Capability with Helicopter Donation/Photo supplied

Arriving in Lae yesterday under the Papua New Guinea–Australia Policing Partnership, the helicopters are expected to transform police operations in remote, rural, and hard-to-reach parts of the country.

Deputy Prime Minister and Lae MP John Rosso, who led the handover ceremony, said the development represents a historic advancement for the police force.

“This is the first of its kind for the RPNGC to have such aviation capabilities that will help boost the work of the police,” Mr Rosso said.

The aircraft will support frontline policing, search and rescue operations, disaster response, and rapid deployment of officers to areas with limited infrastructure.

Police Commissioner David Manning said the helicopters would greatly improve operational effectiveness across Papua New Guinea’s challenging geography.

“PNG’s remote and vast terrain makes the return of the helicopters essential for preventing crime and keeping our people safe,” Commissioner Manning said.