The American company seeks to expand long-term industrial cooperation in the country, focusing on assembly, maintenance, repair, and future aircraft production.
Bell Textron announced the creation of a subsidiary in Ukraine and said it plans to open a separate office to develop long-term industrial cooperation in the country. According to the American company, this is the first step toward implementing plans to localize helicopter production on Ukrainian territory.
According to the manufacturer’s press release, the new structure has been named Bell Textron Ukraine and will serve as the center of the company’s activities in the country. The subsidiary will support Bell’s current and future projects focused on helicopter assembly, maintenance, and repair in Ukraine. The permanent location of the office has not yet been defined.
For the company, the initiative represents an important step in building a broader partnership with Ukraine’s industrial and defense base. Jeffrey Schlosser, Bell’s senior vice president for strategic programs, stated that the company is committed to establishing a local presence to drive practical cooperation and long-term growth.
Bell also highlighted that the AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters can strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities while also serving as a foundation for a lasting industrial partnership between the American manufacturer and the Ukrainian sector.
Cooperation between Bell and Ukraine has intensified since the start of the full-scale war. Since 2022, the Ukrainian government has been requesting the transfer of Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters from the United States as part of military assistance.
In July 2024, during the Farnborough International Airshow, the company officially presented the combat version of the Bell 407M multi-role helicopter. By July 2025, Bell’s plan to invest in Ukraine’s industry and establish helicopter production in the country had gained momentum. At the time, Ukraine’s then-Minister of Economy, Oleksiy Sobolev, stated that the government was willing to support the initiative through tools aimed at attracting investors.
Another important step took place in October 2025 during the AUSA 2025 exhibition, when Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture and Bell Textron signed a memorandum of understanding to expand industrial cooperation in aviation technologies.
The document established the foundations for creating production and service facilities in Ukraine. Among the planned measures were the opening of a Bell representative office and the creation of a center for final assembly and testing of helicopters.
Shortly afterward, Bell Textron also stated it was ready to supply AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, reinforcing the company’s interest in establishing a strategic presence in the country, both in the industrial sector and in supporting the modernization of Ukraine’s military aviation.
Source and images: Militarnyi | Bell Textron. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
