Bahrain Welcomes a Sleek Fleet: The Arrival of Bell 505 Helicopters
Bell Textron Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Inc., has declared the delivery of three Bell 505 helicopters to the Royal Bahrain Air Force. The aircraft were handed over during an evaluation and acceptance ceremony in February 2023 at Bell’s Mirabel facility.
“We are privileged to supply the Bahrain Defense Force with another premier Bell asset, enabling the training of future Bahrani aviators,” stated Sameer Rehman, managing director for Africa and the Middle East at Bell. “Generations of Bahraini aviators have trained with Bell helicopters, and the Bell 505 will uphold the tradition of excellence for many years ahead.”
The Bahrain Defense Force has previously operated the Bell 212 along with various generations of AH-1 attack helicopters. This procurement signifies the inaugural delivery of 505 models to the nation and comes with a comprehensive package including training, tools, and spare parts.
“Thanks to its low operational costs and exceptional reliability, the Bell 505 has become a preferred choice for training cadets, ensuring a seamless and safe transition to advanced helicopters,” Rehman remarked.
The Kingdom of Bahrain is now among several countries in the region utilizing the Bell 505 as their advanced military trainer of preference. Horizon International Flight Academy in the UAE is currently operating 12 Bell 505s, and the Royal Jordanian Air Force formalized an agreement for 10 Bell 505s in November 2022. Over 30 Bell 505 helicopters are now operational across the Middle East and Africa. Additionally, the Bell 505 is the designated military training helicopter for the Montenegro Air Force, the Republic of Korea Army, and the Republic of Korea Navy.
Bell has successfully delivered over 400 Bell 505 helicopters to both domestic and international clients. The Bell 505 program has cumulatively surpassed 100,000 flight hours. Recently, the Bell 505 made history as the world’s first single-engine helicopter to operate on 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel.
