Last Of Eight Helicopters That Had Been Ordered Under Modernization Program

Bell Helicopter has completed the final delivery and acceptance of eight Bell 412EP helicopters to the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND). The final delivery was acknowledged during the flag raising ceremony at the Villamor Air Base.

“We are proud to deliver the final of eight Bell 412EP aircraft today - three months ahead of schedule and, as promised, in time for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in November," said Sameer A. Rehman, managing director of Bell Helicopter, Asia Pacific. “Bell Helicopter has played an important role in the Philippines' national defense for six decades, and it is a profound privilege to continue this relationship and serve the DND for decades to come.”
 
The eight Bell 412EP helicopters, fully configured and equipped with advanced features, were purchased with the government-to-government contracting support of the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC), and fully meet the DND’s modernization requirements. Bell Helicopter began staged deliveries in June of the eight aircraft to be used for combat utility and VIP transport operations, as well as relief efforts.
 
“We are pleased to receive the last of these remarkable aircraft and continue our long-standing relationship with the Bell Helicopter team,” said Undersecretary Fernando I. Manalo from the Philippine Department of National Defense. “We look forward to employing the versatility and improved performance of the Bell 412EP.”
 
“It is a great occasion to be here today and observe the delivery of the final Bell 412EP aircraft. These world-class aircraft represent a leap in capabilities for the DND,” stated James Mott, contracts manager for the CCC. “Today we also honor the strong defense collaboration between Canada and the Philippines, and the longstanding cooperation between the CCC and Bell Helicopter to provide cost-effective government-to-government contracting solutions for advanced aerospace products."
 
The ceremony was also attended by Neil Reeder, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines, and Philip Goldberg, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines.

(Image provided by Bell Helicopter)

FMI: www.bellhelicopter.com