PAKISTAN ARMY TO PURCHASE 30 BELL 412EP HELICOPTERS

Foreign Military Sale notification has been sent by the DSCA to US Congress for the FMS of 30 Bell 412 Enhanced Performance Helicopters to Pakistan Army. Overall cost of this project will be around $397 million.

These helicopters are part of plan developed to improve the airlift capabilities of the Pakistan army. These helicopters will be used by both Pakistani Special Forces (SSG) and the Frontier Corps. Under earlier contracts Pakistan army has already received over 26 Bell-412 helicopters in 2007 and other two were handed over to PA in May this year.

Bell-412 helicopters are being used by the Pakistan Army in its fight against terrorists in the FATA region. These are used a troop carriers mostly by the Pakistani Special Forces to conduct operations behind enemy lines and to evocate the injure soldiers from the battle front.

Specifications of Bell-412 helicopters

Length: 17.1meters 

Height: 4.6 meters

Maximum Take-Off Weight: 5398 kg

Empty Weight: 3079 kg

Maximum External Payload: 2041 kg

Maximum Internal Payload: 2299 kg

Speed & Range

Maximum Speed: 259 km/h

Max Cruise Speed: 226 km/h

Maximum Range: 659 km

Service ceiling: 6096 m