Bell Textron Canada supplies military and commercial helicopters, tiltrotor aircraft, and related spare parts to governments and commercial customers around the world.
Read how Canada’s leading provider of vertical lift aircraft used a government to government contract offered through CCC to delivery much needed aircraft to the Philippines Department of Defence and the Montenegro Air Force.
About Bell Textron Canada
Founded in 1986, Bell Textron Canada (Bell Textron) Ltd. is Canada’s leading manufacturer of vertical lift aircraft. The company offers a range of commercial and military helicopters and to date more than 5,600 of its commercial aircraft are operating around the world.
The Mirabel, Quebec site is Bell Textron’s commercial assembly and delivery location and occupies over 650,000 square feet alongside the Mirabel airport with 17 helipads and two runways. It offers services such as aircraft customization, aircraft refurbishment, and aircraft upgrades and modifications.
The Calgary, Alberta location is the company’s Canada Supply Centre (SC) and distributes spares to 14 Canadian Customer Service Facilities (CSFs) and several large fleet operators. It also supports Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard fleet and sources spare parts to 10 Canadian Forces local and overseas bases.
In 2021, Bell Textron announced the addition of a new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service in its Mirabel, Quebec location. The increasing demand for customer support and services prompted the move and the facility will provide a range of services for a variety of aircraft including the Bell 206, the company’s first commercial aircraft produced in Canada, to the line of commercial aircrafts being produced today.
Company Offering
- Repair, overhaul and field maintenance for Bell helicopters
- Aerial Application Systems & Components
- Aerial Services and Aircraft Structures and Sub-assembly
- Business, Recreation and Special Purpose Aircraft
- Component Manufacturing & Processing
- Contract Design & Manufacturing
- Support Services
- Unmanned Vehicles
Sameer A. Rehman, Bell Helicopter managing director, Asia Pacific; LTGen. Jeffrey F. Delgado, Commanding General, Philippine Air Force; Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Neil Reeder; Hon. Voltaire T. Gazmin, Secretary of National Defense; U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Philip S. Goldberg; Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberri, Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines. Source: Bell Textron.
G2G contract with Philippine Department of National Defense
In 2014, Bell Textron signed a $105 million purchase agreement with the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) for the delivery of eight Bell 412EP helicopters to the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND).
With a cruise speed of 140 knots (161 mph), range of 358 nautical miles (412 miles) and a cabin that can accommodate 15 passengers and crew members, the Bell 412EP offers reliable performance in some of the most extreme climates. Its dual digital automatic flight control system with available IFR option and Category A/JAR OPS 3 capability provides greater control and improved situational awareness.
Five of the helicopters were contracted to be configured for combat utility operations, including relief efforts. The remaining aircraft are configured for VIP transportation.
The intergovernmental or government to government (G2G) contract used for the deal was negotiated under the umbrella of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the CCC and the Philippine Department of National Defense for the purchase of defense and security related materials and services. In turn CCC, contracted the delivery of the aircraft to Bell Textron and provided contract and financial administration. All eight helicopters were delivered by 2015.
G2G contract with Montenegro Air Force
In 2018, the Government of Montenegro signed a G2G deal to buy two Bell 412EPI helicopters and one Bell 412EP helicopter to bolster its defenses.
At the time, Montenegro was NATO’s newest member and the 30 million euro ($37 million) contract would bolster the country’s fleet and support land and sea activities, search and rescue operations, medical evacuations and to patrol Montenegro’s borders and territory.
"The procurement project of these helicopters is extremely important, and despite our long-standing vision, only now have all the conditions needed come together to implement it. Aware of the need of our armed forces and the state, we have chosen the type and model of the helicopter that will best answer the security requirements in the entire territory of the country. These helicopters will enhance the mobility of units, reconnaissance capabilities and the overall transport capacity of the Armed Forces of Montenegro. In addition, it will allow us to further develop the capabilities for various types of evacuation, search and rescue missions, and reacting in extraordinary situations“
Follow-up G2G contract
In 2020, the Montenegro Air Force signed another purchase agreement with the CCC for two Bell 505 Jet Ranger X’s which were to be manufactured at the Mirabel, Quebec facility. These new aircraft were contracted to train the Montenegrin military pilots.
The Bell 505 aircraft includes a high-tech flight deck and adaptable cabin design making it extremely cost-competitive and capable. Garmin avionics suite and FADEC-controlled engine, provides increased situational awareness and safety, allowing pilots to focus on training and reducing pilot workload. The high inertia rotor system enables students to gain confidence in learning auto rotations.
The final aircraft was delivered to the Montenegro Air Force in 2021.
B412, Bell, Military, Montenegrin Air Force, Montenegro, News. Source: Helihub.com.
Bell 505. Source: Bellflight.com.
G2G supporting Colombian National Police
In addition to Asia and Europe, Bell Textron has also been successful with G2G contracts in Latin America. The company delivered four Bell 407 helicopters to the Colombia National Police and two Bell 412 helicopters to the Colombia Naval Aviation Group via government to government contracting in 2013-2014.
In 2019, along with its local Colombian partner Helicentro, Bell signed a contract with the Colombian National Police for a Bell 407 helicopter. The agreement was the result of continuous efforts throughout 2018 and 2019 by the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) team in Bogota and CCC. The services offered by these Government of Canada entities included regular advocacy through meetings and support for the sale process.
Source: Erich Saumeth, infodefensa.com
Source: Bell Textron (YouTube)
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About CCC
The Canadian Commercial Corporation is a federal crown corporation and is only the Canadian agency that offers commercial advocacy, collaborative project development, and international contracting expertise to help Canadian businesses secure contracts with foreign governments at the national, state, and municipal level.
Our International Prime Contractor is a fee-based program where we sign government to government (G2G) contracts with foreign government buyers for the sale of Canadian solutions.
Our U.S. DoD Prime Contractor program is a free program funded by the Government of Canada and supported by the U.S. Government, to help Canadians sell their products, services and solutions to the U.S. military. To learn more about CCC and how we can help you, contact us.
Last updated: August 2022
