Tasmania Police have operated alongside the
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service since 2000, when the state acquired its first twin-engine, IFR-capable MBB/Kawasaki
Bk117. The service, contracted to
Rotor-Lift Aviation, provides statewide emergency response, including aeromedical retrievals, law enforcement support, and search and rescue missions.
The Bk117 helicopters have formed the backbone of Tasmania’s operations for more than two decades, proving reliable in the island’s rugged terrain and unpredictable weather. From remote bushland evacuations to offshore rescues, they have been indispensable for both Ambulance Tasmania and police duties.
In 2025, the Tasmanian Government awarded a new
12-year contract to StarFlight Australia, which will introduce three Airbus
H145 helicopters. The upgraded fleet is scheduled to enter service in late 2027, delivering enhanced medical, rescue, and policing capabilities while phasing out the long-serving BK117s.
Models
JA6729 
VH-EMS 