Bell has delivered three of its 505 Jet Ranger X light turbine helicopters to the Royal Bahrain Air Force. This delivery marks the first of the type in the country and includes a package for training, tools, and spares. The Bahrain Defense Force is a Bell customer of long-standing, having flown models such as the 212 and AH-1 attack helicopter.
“We are honored to provide the Bahrain Defense Force another premiere Bell asset to train the next generation of Bahrani pilots,” said Sameer Rehman, Bell managing director for Africa and the Middle East. “Generations of Bahraini pilots have flown in Bell helicopters and the Bell 505 will continue the tradition.”
More than 30 Bell 505s operate throughout the Middle East and Africa. Bahrain joins other countries in the region employing the Jet Ranger X for helicopter flight training. UAE-based Horizon International Flight Academy operates 12 Bell 505s and the Royal Jordanian Air Force signed an agreement for 10 of them in November. Additionally, the Bell 505 is the military training helicopter for the Montenegro Air Force and the Republic of Korea army and navy.
To date, the OEM has delivered more than 400 Bell 505s and the fleet has amassed more than 100,000 flight hours.