The Tunisian Air Force has ordered 12 Subaru Bell 412EPX helicopters for multirole military and security missions.
Bell Textron said the order will expand Tunisia’s rotary wing fleet of 39 Bell aircraft, including Bell UH-1s, 205s and OH-58s. The Tunisian National Guard, meanwhile, recently began operating the Bell 429. Tunisia has been seeking new helicopters for two years.
The Bell 412EPX primarily is used for public safety, utility and military missions, including firefighting, law enforcement, search and rescue, medical transport, and general utility and cargo work. It also has been used for troop transport. Bell Textron said that more than 54% of the global Bell 412 fleet performs public and military missions.
The Subaru Bell 412EPX can carry a pilot and 14 passengers at a speed of 122 knots and out to 357 nautical miles. Power comes from two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-9 engines rated at 1,122 horsepower for takeoff.
The new rotorcraft will increase Tunisia’s already sizable and varied rotary wing fleet. According to the Scramble military aviation database, the Tunisian Air Force operates nearly 100 helicopters of various models. The National Guard uses three Bell 429s.