Bell Textron Canada has delivered its 6,000th helicopter made at its Commercial Delivery and Assembly Centre in Mirabel, Quebec. Today’s celebration included two Subaru Bell 412EPXs handed over to the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité Durable for operation by the Sûreté du Québec.
“For the Sûreté du Québec, the new helicopters are essential to fulfilling our mission,” said Liette Abel Normandin, senior director of strategy and institutional affairs and member of the Sûreté du Québec's senior management. “Our police helicopter services, including search and rescue, are offered throughout Quebec thanks to our valuable partnership with the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité Durable, particularly with the General Directorate of the SAG [Service Aérien Gouvernemental]. In 2024, our helicopters carried out 116 missions.”
With support from the SAG, the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité Durable has been operating Bell helicopters since the 1960s. Missions include search and rescue, crew and equipment transport, flood evacuation, aerial surveillance, and tactical operations.
“Our 6,000th helicopter built in Canada demonstrates our commitment to manufacturing aircraft capable of performing the most critical missions, as well as our dedication to contributing to Quebec's economy,” said Danny Maldonado, chief commercial officer at Bell Textron.
Last week, Bell announced that the Subaru Bell 412EPX received Transport Canada validation, enabling buyers to operate the helicopter in Canada.