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Private disaster response company McDermott Aviation is adding a trio of new tankers to its firefighting fleet.
The Queensland-based firm plans to use the Transall C-160 fixed-wing aircraft, which can safely land on small regional airstrips for refilling, to bolster its aerial firefighting capabilities in remote and rugged locations. It aims to have all three operational for the 2025–26 fire season.
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According to company founder and president John McDermott, the planes are “built for tough jobs in tough places”.
“They’re part of our broader strategy to grow our fleet, scale our international footprint, and bring new technology to the frontline of firefighting both at home and overseas including Europe and North America,” he said.
“This is a major step forward – not just for McDermott, but for the industry and communities globally as we continue to battle extreme weather conditions.”
The planes, still subject to CASA approval, have been fitted with 16,000-litre tanks designed in partnership with Queensland-based Helitak Firefighting Equipment.
“We’ve worked closely with Helitak to develop a tank system that is lightweight, rugged, and high-performing and will allow these aircraft to deliver precision, power, and safety where it matters most – in the field, during fire season,” McDermott said.
“We are undertaking the final certifications for the tank and will be seeking certification that will allow us to complete the testing of this aircraft which, once approved, will dramatically change the way we fight fires, especially in remote or rural areas that are not able to cope with other large, fixed wing aircraft.
“We will carry retardant in powder form, and as long as there is a water source, we will be able to refill and be back in the air in approximately 10 minutes, making the addition of these aircraft an incredible asset to our fleet.”
Jason Schellaars, CEO of Helitak, said the FT-series tank developed for the C-160s is the first of its kind for fixed-wing aircraft, providing “rapid-fill, high-volume water and retardant delivery, tailored for Australian firefighting conditions”.
“To design and deliver our first fixed-wing tank system for such a capable aircraft is a milestone,” he said.
“Combining proven military-grade aircraft with cutting-edge Australian design is exactly the kind of collaboration that will define the future of aerial firefighting.”
