Bell Textron Ready to Supply AH-1Z and UH-1Y Helicopters to Ukraine

The American aerospace company Bell Textron is ready to supply its AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The company announced on its website that it is exploring this possibility.

Recently, in Washington, D.C., delegates from Bell Textron and the Ukrainian government signed a Memorandum on prospects for industrial cooperation with Ukraine, including the supply of helicopters.

“We are proud to announce this agreement and the opportunity to supply these helicopters to Ukraine,” Jeffrey Schloesser, Senior Vice President for Strategic Pursuits at Bell, shared. “This initiative has been in development for some time, and we look forward to bringing it to completion.”

The AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters are two of Bell Textron’s leading platforms and share 85% common parts, including the tail boom, engines, rotor system, transmission, avionics architecture, software, controls, and displays.

“We are confident that the H-1 helicopters can play a key role in further strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities by providing a much-needed upgrade while simultaneously enhancing the country’s current air support,” Schloesser continued.

In addition, the American company is ready to deploy its own production base in Ukraine for the assembly, maintenance, and repair of helicopters.

According to the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, the signed Memorandum establishes a framework for creating production and service facilities in Ukraine.

This cooperation will contribute to the development of high-tech mechanical engineering and the strengthening of the country’s industrial potential.

AH-1Z Viper

The AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine attack helicopter developed from the AH-1W SuperCobra as part of the AH-1 upgrade program for the U.S. Marine Corps.

The helicopter is equipped with an automatic 20 mm cannon mounted in the nose section of the fusela. It hasas six hardpoints capable of carrying Hydra 70 70-mm rocket pods, launchers for four AGM-114 Hellfire guided anti-tank missiles, AIM-9L short-range air-to-air missiles, or additional external fuel tanks.

UH-1Y Venom

The UH-1Y Venom is a twin-engine multirole helicopter built by Bell Helicopter under the UH-1 modernization program. It is designed to perform a wide range of missions, including troop transport, medical evacuation, air support, and cargo operations.