The Tunisian Air Force has signed an agreement at the Paris Airshow to procure twelve SUBARU BELL 412EPXs multi-role helicopters from US-based Bell Textron, marking the aircraft’s first entry into the Middle East and Africa region.
Region Debut
„The SUBARU Bell 412EPX has been gaining momentum as an international military platform, we’re thrilled to bring it to the Middle East and Africa region with the Tunisian Air Force,” said Tim Evans, Bell Textron Managing Director for Middle East and Africa.
Cost-Effective Militarization
The 412 helicopter is part of Bell’s efforts to militarize „cost-effective” commercial aircraft, which the company believes are more appealing to foreign customers. The announcement did not include a price tag.
Performance and Capabilities
Bell advertises a civilian version of the 412 with a max cruising speed of 228 km/h (142 mph), a range of 669 km, and a max endurance of just under four hours. The militarized version can be equipped with rockets, guns, and missiles and is highly modular for MEDEVAC, ISR, or other non-combat missions.
Streamlined Export Approval
Douglas Wolfe, managing director of sales and strategy international sales at Bell, noted that militarizing civil aircraft streamlines US export approval since only the added weapons systems require approval.
Enhancing Tunisian Air Capabilities
The Tunisian Air Force has been gradually enhancing its capabilities, receiving the first of eight Beechcraft T-6C trainers from Textron Aviation in 2022. While Tunisia faces fewer vast threats compared to its neighbors, it emphasizes its air capabilities to interdict smuggling and potential terrorist attacks from armed factions in neighboring Libya.
