Hong Kong's Government Flying Service (GFS), in association with Lakeland Fire + Safety and LHD Group, will be supplied with foul weather shell clothing and overpants as part of an award received in August that covers specialised protective outerwear for GFS pilots and engineering officers. It is the second such contract that the company has secured with the agency.

The GFS is a disciplined force under the Hong Kong SAR Government, providing round-the-clock, year-round aerial support to the public and government departments. Its core missions include search and rescue, aerial firefighting support, aeromedical evacuation, internal security and disaster relief. As of December 2024, the GFS had 331 personnel and a fleet of 12 aircraft, comprising three fixed-wing aircraft and nine helicopters, serving a population of more than 7.5 million across Hong Kong and its surrounding waters.

To meet the demanding operational environment faced by GFS aircrew, characterised by extreme weather, heavy rainfall, strong winds and exposure to heat and flame risk during rescue missions, LHD Group Hong Kong leveraged its technical expertise to design a specialised foul weather suit in 2020. The garment is constructed from Gore-Tex Pyrad fabric, a high-performance material that combines flame resistance, waterproofing and breathability to deliver protection without sacrificing mobility or comfort during critical missions.

LHD Group Hong Kong was first awarded a contract in 2020 to supply foul weather shell clothing and overpants to GFS aircrewman officers. Following sustained positive feedback from aircrewmen citing the suit's performance, durability and functionality, the GFS requested design modifications to better accommodate the operational requirements of their pilots and engineering officers. Those enhancements included ergonomic adjustments, improved mobility features and utility pockets for mission-critical equipment.

Following a multi-year evaluation and qualification process, LHD Group Hong Kong was successful in securing this second, larger contract, further strengthening its positioning as a reliable partner in high-performance protective apparel for elite emergency response units.

The award extends Lakeland's presence in the Asia Pacific first responder market, where the company serves fire services, police forces and aviation units through LHD Group's service centres in Hong Kong and Australia. Lakeland believes programmes that pair custom design work with certified, high-performance materials build durable relationships that can generate recurring replenishment demand as garments reach the end of their service life.

“This award is an endorsement of the work our team delivered six years ago that has performed in the field every day since,” says Jim Jenkins, president and chief executive officer of Lakeland Fire + Safety. “The GFS is one of the most demanding aerial emergency response organisations in the region, and the decision to extend the programme from aircrewmen to pilots and engineering officers came only after years of operational use and a rigorous re-evaluation against competing suppliers. That is precisely the kind of long-cycle, relationship-driven business we are building across our fire and first responder platform, and it shows how our specialised design capability differentiates us in competitive government tenders.”

“We are honoured to continue our partnership with the GFS, which is recognised as one of the most respected aerial emergency response organisations in the region,” adds Peter Chan, managing director of LHD Group Hong Kong. “This contract reflects the trust that the GFS has placed in our design capabilities and product quality. Our team is committed to delivering gear that enhances safety, comfort and operational effectiveness for those who serve on the front lines.”