American Bell Helicopter interested in Romanian tender for emergency helicopters

Bell Helicopter, the American manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters, might submit a bid in tender organized by the Romanian state for the acquisition of 22 helicopters for emergency situations.

Joel Best, Director Global Business Development Europe at Bell, said the model Bell 412 would be a good fit for the Romanian emergency units.

“It does a great job for domestic operations, an outstanding instrument platform, operates effectively in all weather, airspace, and is a very cost-effective, very sustainable aircraft that would very good for Romania. If asked, we will definitely be there, at the front of the line for an opportunity to compete with that aircraft,” Best told HotNews.ro.

In the tender announced by the Ministry of Interior, French Airbus, which has a plant in Ghimbav, said it can provide its H135 light helicopter.

The Ministry of Interior operates a fleet of 13 light helicopters EC-135, out of which ten are used is air emergency missions. The new acquisition would be covered from EU funds.