The American manufacturer Bell Helicopters plans to invest in Ukraine’s defense industry and start helicopter production in the country, according to Ukrainian Economy Minister Oleksiy Sobolev.
The local government has shown willingness to support the project with mechanisms aimed at attracting foreign investment. The plan is currently in the technical consultation and feasibility study phase.
The proposal is not entirely new: previously, the local production of the civilian version of the UH-1 helicopter was considered, but the project did not move forward. Since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022, Bell has intensified the offer of its models to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In July 2024, during the Farnborough Airshow, the company officially proposed the Bell 407M, a militarized version of its multipurpose helicopter.
Additionally, Kyiv has been requesting the delivery of AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters since 2022 as part of the U.S. military aid package.
There are no concrete details yet about Bell’s next steps in Ukraine, but the expectation is that the company will initially focus its efforts on the military sector before exploring the civilian market.
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @BellFlight | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
