The Scottish-built fire trucks transforming Iraq’s emergency response
Iain Hoey
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Emergency One completes first Iraqi fire appliances
Emergency One has completed the first 12 bespoke fire appliances for the Iraqi Ministry of Interior as part of a national fleet modernisation programme.
The company said the deliveries mark a key milestone in a contract announced in January 2025 to supply 31 custom-built fire appliances to Iraq’s Ministry of Interior by March 2026.
Emergency One confirmed that the project is progressing on schedule, with the remaining vehicles due for completion over the coming year.
UK Export Finance supports international contract
According to Emergency One, the programme is supported by UK Export Finance (UKEF), whose financial backing enabled the Scottish manufacturer to secure the export contract.
The company said this support is helping to sustain jobs and drive growth at its Cumnock facility in Ayrshire.
Carol Harvey, Export Finance Manager at UKEF, commented: “We’re proud to support Emergency One in supplying life-saving equipment to Iraq.
“It reflects the strength of UK manufacturing and the value of UKEF support in helping British exporters secure and deliver major international contracts.”
Delegation visits Cumnock for handover
Emergency One hosted a delegation from the Iraqi Ministry of Interior at its Cumnock headquarters to mark the completion of the first batch of vehicles.
The visit included a tour of the production facilities and meetings with engineers and designers involved in the project.
A formal handover ceremony took place for the first 12 vehicles, signalling the start of deployment in Iraq.
Steven Bell, Managing Director of Emergency One, said: “It was an honour to host the Iraqi delegation at our facility and showcase the first 12 appliances now ready for delivery.
“This project means a lot to us; it reflects the hard work of our team and showcases what we can achieve together when Scottish engineering and global collaboration come together.”
A spokesperson for the Iraqi Ministry of Interior Delegation said: “We are very pleased with the quality, design and attention to detail demonstrated by Emergency One.
“Seeing the vehicles in person has reinforced our confidence in this partnership, and we look forward to the positive impact these appliances will have on fire and rescue operations across Iraq.”
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The delivery of the first 12 bespoke appliances to Iraq’s Ministry of Interior highlights the role of international procurement and manufacturing partnerships in modernising firefighting fleets.
For procurement officers and government agencies, the project demonstrates how export finance mechanisms such as those from UKEF can support large-scale infrastructure investment.
For fire chiefs and equipment specifiers, the contract provides an example of how custom-built vehicles are being tailored to meet regional operational demands, supporting improved reliability and fleet standardisation.
The collaboration also reflects the growing demand for advanced firefighting technology in emerging markets and the contribution of UK manufacturers to international fire service capability.