Korea’s Navy Receives Its Inaugural Trio of Bell 505 Helicopters
Bell Textron Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Inc., has successfully finalized the handover of the initial three Bell 505 helicopters to the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), initiating a contract anticipated to encompass up to 40 Bell 505 helicopters manufactured and delivered by 2025.
In May 2022, a formal agreement was established between the Republic of Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration and Bell, following the selection of the Bell 505 as the preferred military helicopter trainer for the Republic of Korea. These Bell 505 helicopters are designated for utilization by both the ROKN and the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) to instruct their aviators.
“The decision by the Republic of Korea Armed Forces to incorporate the Bell 505 underscores their requirement for an advanced helicopter training solution. The Bell 505 offers a sophisticated training landscape unrivaled in its category, equipping the next generation of pilots with the skills necessary to boost their operational readiness. We are honored to contribute to the development of these essential capabilities and to support the Armed Forces’ fleet with our industry-leading post-sale programs,” stated Sameer Rehman, managing director, Asia Pacific, Bell.
The addition of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces elevates the total number of global government entities employing the Bell 505 as their helicopter training platform to seven – including the Indonesian Navy, Jamaican Air Force, Japan Coast Guard, Horizon International Flight Academy of the UAE, Armed Forces of Montenegro, and the Royal Jordanian Air Force.
Since its launch in 2017, over 400 units of the Bell 505 have been delivered, amassing more than 100,000 flight hours across the global fleet. Featuring a dual-channel FADEC-controlled engine, a glass cockpit, customizable cabin configurations, tie-downs, and a two-bladed rotor system, the Bell 505 stands as a premier aircraft in its category, ensuring efficiency and reliability at every phase of operation and during each flight.
