Bahrain Requests 6 Bell 412 Helis

Griffon w. hoist(click to view full) On Aug 3/07, the US DSCA announced [PDF format] Bahrain’s request for 6 Bell 412 Air Search and Recovery Helicopters configured with PT6T-9 engines and electronic engine control, spare and repair parts, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government (USG) support, and contractor representatives’ engineering and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support. Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of one Contractor Field Service representative to Bahrain for one year to assist in the delivery and deployment of the helicopters. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $160 million. Bell 412s are listed as commercial helicopters, but they are used by a number of militaries around the world, including the Canadian military (CH-146 Griffon). The principal contractors will be Bell Textron of Fort Worth, TX, and Bell Textron of Canada. These Bahraini helicopters will be used for “various military operations to include the protection of sovereign borders as well as the protection and defense of U.S. and coalition strategic facilities.” Among other things, Bahrain is an anchorage for the US 5th fleet.