At the Paris Air Show 2025, Bell Textron Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Inc., announced a landmark agreement with the Tunisian Air Force for the purchase of 12 SUBARU Bell 412EPX helicopters. This deal represents the first order for this particular variant in the Middle East and Africa region, marking a notable expansion of Tunisia’s military aviation capabilities. The helicopters are intended to serve the Tunisian Air Force in a variety of multi-role military and security missions, joining an existing fleet of 39 Bell aircraft that includes models such as the UH-1, 205, and OH-58. This procurement reflects Tunisia’s ongoing reliance on Bell’s trusted platforms as it seeks to strengthen its operational readiness.
The SUBARU Bell 412EPX is a versatile and dependable aircraft, widely respected for its ability to perform a broad range of tasks. Globally, over 54% of the Bell 412 fleet is employed in para-public and military operations, demonstrating its suitability for challenging environments. For Tunisia, these helicopters will play a key role in addressing regional security concerns, particularly the interdiction of smuggling and potential terrorist threats spilling over from neighbouring Libya. Once militarised, the aircraft can be equipped with rockets, guns, and missiles, offering robust combat capabilities. However, their modular design also allows for adaptation to non-combat roles, such as medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), depending on Tunisia’s operational needs. Tim Evans, Bell’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, expressed pride in supporting the Tunisian Air Force, emphasising the Bell 412’s reputation as a proven platform and the excitement of introducing the EPX variant to the region.
The technical specifications of the SUBARU Bell 412EPX make it well-suited for demanding missions. It features a maximum internal weight of 12,200 lbs, an external weight of 13,000 lbs, and a cargo hook capacity of 5,000 lbs, with a useful load of 5,385 lbs. These attributes enable the helicopter to handle substantial payloads, a critical factor for military and logistical operations. Tunisia’s decision to acquire these aircraft fits into a broader pattern of modernisation within its air force. In 2022, the country took delivery of the first of eight Beechcraft T-6C trainers from Textron Aviation, indicating a steady effort to enhance training and operational capabilities. While Tunisia does not face the same level of conflict as neighbours like Algeria, embroiled in disputes over the Sahara, or Libya, which has experienced unrest since 2011, it remains focused on maintaining security against cross-border smuggling and extremist activities. The Tunisian National Guard, operating Bell 429 helicopters, works alongside the air force to ensure internal stability, while the air force’s helicopter inventory already includes 21 Bell 205s, 16 UH-1Ns, 18 OH-58Ds, and six AB412s, in addition to other platforms like the HH-3, SA341, SA342, AS350B, and UH-60M.
Securing this contract was no small feat for Bell Textron, which faced stiff competition from Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo Helicopters. The Bell 412’s established performance record and the EPX variant’s advanced features likely tipped the scales in Bell’s favour. The SUBARU Bell 412EPX has already gained traction internationally, with the Japan National Police Agency placing the first order for the model in 2019. Other operators include the Japan Coast Guard, San Diego Fire and Rescue, and the Ministries of Interior in Croatia and the Sarajevo Canton. In August 2024, the Italian government delivered four units to Somalia in a $16 million deal following the lifting of the UN arms embargo, where they now support Somali forces in troop transport, medical evacuation, and search and rescue missions amid the transition from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). These examples illustrate the platform’s growing global presence and adaptability across diverse operational contexts.
The Bell 412 family has a storied history, with over 1,300 helicopters delivered worldwide across all variants, logging more than seven million flight hours. Its widespread military adoption spans over 40 countries, and it has been license-produced in Canada, Italy (as the Agusta-Bell AB412), Indonesia, and Japan. Military configurations include the CH-146 Griffon in Canada and the Griffin series in the United Kingdom, while earlier versions like the 412SP offered increased fuel capacity, the 412HP featured an improved transmission, and the 412EPI introduced PT6T-9 engines and a glass cockpit. The EPX variant builds on this legacy with a 300-pound increase in internal gross weight over the EPI, alongside advancements in metallurgy and transmission gear geometry. These upgrades allow the helicopter to operate continuously at maximum torque, enabling it to carry heavier loads without the time constraints imposed by earlier torque limits. The EPX also supports one engine inoperative (OEI) operations and can hover at high altitudes, a capability proven during test flights at pressure altitudes of 7,000 feet and simulated engine failure training using onboard software.
For Tunisia, the addition of 12 SUBARU Bell 412EPX helicopters will markedly improve its capacity to conduct security missions, logistics operations, and humanitarian responses across diverse terrain and conditions. This acquisition provides the Tunisian Air Force with the flexibility to replace or supplement older models in its fleet, aligning with the country’s goal of enhancing airborne readiness. The platform’s compatibility with a wide array of mission profiles, combined with its technical improvements over previous variants, offers Tunisia greater operational versatility and increased payload capacity. SUBARU and Bell have confirmed that the 412EPX is now available for export markets, with tailored delivery and maintenance support to meet both military and civil requirements worldwide. This deal not only expands Tunisia’s rotary wing fleet but also strengthens its strategic partnership with Bell Textron, positioning the country as a leader in multi-role helicopter capabilities within the Middle East and Africa region.
