Bell Textron Inc. announced a signed purchase agreement for two Subaru Bell 412EPX utility helicopters to the Republic of Croatia’s Ministry of Interior. This marks a significant milestone in the region as the first purchase agreement for Subaru Bell 412 EPXs in Europe. The expected delivery date of the aircraft is October 2023. The Republic of Croatia’s Ministry of the Interior deals with the tasks related to criminal, border and special police activities and other activities related to civil protection, firefighting, fire protection, production and trade in explosive substances and weapons, private protection, detective affairs, and mine action.
“The Ministry of Interior is honored to be the first European customer to sign a purchase agreement for the SUBARU Bell 412EPX. We look forward to utilizing its unique capabilities and durability to protect and defend the citizens of Croatia,” said Ph.D. Davor Božinovi?, Minister of Interior, Croatia.
“The SUBARU Bell 412EPX adds increased payload capabilities to the world-renowned Bell 412 platform, and this agreement continues to expand its reputation. We are thrilled to bring the most modern version of the Bell 412 platform to a European customer and showcase its capabilities,” said Duncan Van De Velde, Bell’s managing director, Europe.
Certified in 2018, the SUBARU BELL 412EPX has a maximum internal weight of 12,200 lbs, external weight of 13,000 lbs and up to 5,000 lbs of goods with a cargo hook. The aircraft enables large cargo and personnel transportation with its ability to carry up to 5,385 lbs. The Bell 412EPX benefits from a robust main rotor gearbox dry run capability, and increased mast torque output at speeds below 60 knots; providing operators the ability to transport more supplies and perform operations more efficiently. The 412EPX is the next generation utility helicopter that further improves reliability and durability of the Bell 412 series currently active in various fields. The Subaru-Bell 412EPX provides safe and secure flights with a wide cabin, tough airframe and solid technology.
The Subaru-Bell 412EPX is a commercial version of Subaru-Bell UH-2. The UH-2 utility helicopter is being developed jointly by Bell Helicopter and Subaru (formerly Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd) to meet the requirements of the JGSDF. Subaru has developed the New Utility Helicopter (UH-2) leveraging the Subaru-Bell 412EPX as the platform that has been jointly developed with Bell, a Textron Inc. company. This helicopter will be delivered to JGSDF after the completion of a series of flight tests by Subaru. Japan MoD plans to replace the JGSDF’s existing fleet of 127 UH-1J utility helicopters with 150 UH-Xs over the next 20 years. The first UH-X helicopter delivered to the JGSDF in 2022.
