Each Prefecture has ordered one Bell 412EPI, and the aircraft will be operated by their respective firefighting departments.

“We are honored that the Wakayama and Ishikawa prefectures have selected the Bell 412EPI for their firefighting and disaster relief and response missions,” said Jacinto Monge, Managing Director, North Asia, Bell. “This agreement demonstrates the Bell 412EPI’s strength in the Japanese para-public sector and the confidence the Japanese government has in the aircraft to save lives.”

The Bell 412, and its variants, are rugged, medium twin-engine helicopters. The Bell 412EPI improves the Bell 412 platform with the Bell BasiX Pro™ fully integrated glass flight deck, providing critical flight information at a glance for greater situational awareness and safety.