# Bell completes AH-1Z attack helicopter programme for Bahrain

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2023/02/bell-completes-ah-1z-attack-helicopter-programme-for-bahrain/
- Published: 2023-02-23T10:51:28+01:00
- Author: Military Africa

Bell Textron Inc., has completed the AH-1Z program of record (POR) for the Kingdom
of Bahrain. Bell delivered the final production aircraft to Naval Air Systems Command
in December of 2022.

The first Bahrain AH-1Zs made their in-country debut during the Bahrain Air Show
and six have been delivered in country. The final six helicopters will be prepared
for shipment to Bahrain with the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) before
being transported to Bahrain in 2023.

![1 Bahrain AH 1Z at BIAS](https://www.military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/
Image-1-Bahrain-AH-1Z-at-BIAS-1024x768.jpg)

Bell will support the lifecycle of the aircraft to ensure reliability, survivability
and lethality on the modern battlefield.

“Congratulations to the Kingdom of Bahrain on obtaining the latest generation of
the AH-1Zs,” said Mike Deslatte, Bell vice president and H-1 program director. “
As a leader in the region, Bahrain’s defensive capabilities will be further bolstered
by the advanced technologies of the Viper.”

The completion of the Bahrain AH-1Z program of record comes on the heels of Bell
[completing the U.S. Marine Corps program of record](https://www.military.africa/2022/11/bell-textron-delivers-189th-ah-1z-viper-to-the-u-s-marine-corps/),
signifying two major H-1 production milestones in one year. The AH-1Z Viper is Bell’s
newest generation of dedicated attack helicopters manufactured by Bell. The U.S.
Marine Corps currently operates the AH-1Z around the world, taking advantage of 
the minimal logistics requirements for shipboard and expeditionary operations.

Just four months ago, in a ceremony at the Amarillo Assembly Center, Bell Textron
Inc., [celebrated the delivery of the 189th AH-1Z Viper to the U.S. Marine Corps](https://www.military.africa/2022/11/bell-textron-delivers-189th-ah-1z-viper-to-the-u-s-marine-corps/),
completing the Program of Record (POR) for the latest version of the storied H-1
platform. Bell completed the UH-1Y POR of 160 aircraft in 2018 bringing the combined
H-1 POR to 349 aircraft.

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“Capabilities are only part of the equation when it comes to modernizing an aircraft
fleet,” Deslatte added. “By ensuring the aircraft can operate with minimal logistics
support, the Viper enables leaders to react with greater speed and agility to rapidly
evolving operations.”

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Bell continues to work with Kingdom of Bahrain on post-shipping inspections and 
re-assembly to guarantee configuration as defined in the FMS case. In addition to
manufacturing and delivering the new Vipers, Bell will support the lifecycle of 
the aircraft to ensure reliability, survivability and lethality on the modern battlefield.

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