With $38 million allocated over four years as part of Budget 2017-18 the state will continue to engage the Very Large Air Tankers and Large Air Tankers like those nicknamed “Thor” and “Southern Belle”.

“The government is prioritizing the state’s fire-fighting capability at this budget and into the future, ensuring that we minimise the destruction caused by bushfires,” Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said. 

“During a two-year trial, these air tankers flew more than 130 missions on more than 50 firegrounds and dropped six million litres of retardant on bush and grass fires. 

“We want to continue to provide this critical support in emergency situations.”

Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant said that after seeing the devastation caused by the Sir Ivan Bushfire in February and the impact “Thor” and “Southern Belle” had on the fire ground, there was no hesitation backing in continued aerial support for the RFS.

“Our RFS volunteers and staff work tirelessly on the ground, they put their lives on the line in incredibly dangerous situations,” he said.

“The big plane tankers give teams on the ground a real edge in a bush or grass fire.

“These planes can carry 15,000 to 43,000 litres of firefighting retardant, and they can reach any location in NSW within an hour of takeoff.”

The NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons welcomed the announcement, saying the aerial support added to the tools available to the RFS to do their job.

“Over the past two fire seasons these two large aircraft have proved their worth,” Mr Fitzsimmons said.

"They have had a significant impact on bush and grass fires right across the state. 

“The integration of these aircraft with other aircraft and the hard working firefighters on the ground have in no doubt saved lives and livelihoods.”