Bell to expand its industrial participation efforts in Germany
Bell Textron has signed teaming agreements with German suppliers to support Bell’s industrial participation efforts in the country
As part of the collaboration, Bell will compete for the upcoming tender for the renewal of the helicopter fleet for the Bundespolizei, and will offer the Bell 525 as the right aircraft for the job.
The industrial collaboration includes:
- Liebherr
- GKN Aerospace
- Solid Aerospace
- PFW
- CEROBEAR GmbH
- Aircraft Philipp, a member of AMAG Group
- Kautex Textron GmbH
Extended reach into the German market
These companies represent the German states of Baden Wurttemberg, Bavaria, North-Rhine Westphalia and Rhineland Palatinate. “Germany is an important market proving ground for rotorcraft innovation, and we are proud to offer the most advanced helicopter in its class for the Bundespolizei,” said Michael Thacker, Executive Vice President, Innovation and Commercial Business. “By establishing a strong industrial team within Germany, we are one step closer to ensuring the best offering for the police force’s mission using local expertise.
Diversifying the rotorcraft sector long-term
The Bell 525 is the world’s first fly-by-wire commercial helicopter and was designed with law enforcement and parapublic users in mind. “Germany is modernizing its infrastructure, and Bell is committed to working alongside our industrial team to contribute solutions that also yield a significant local benefit from knowledge sharing to diversifying the rotorcraft sector long-term,” said Patrick Moulay, Senior Vice President, International Business.
Additionally, Bell has had a long-standing relationship with the German Armed Forces and German Federal Police. In 1956, the German Armed Forces bought the Bell 47 and in 1963 purchased its first UH-1. The reliable Bell UH-1 has been continuously in service since then.
Earlier this year, Bell Textron received the supplemental type certificate for the installation of QuantiFLY, a new aircraft communication unit.