The US State Department has approved the sale of Bell Textron’s 412 enhanced performance (EP) medium-lift military transport helicopters to the Zambian Defence Force.
Valued at $100 million, the deal will provide an undisclosed quantity of the aircraft, associated radio communication and navigation systems, parts, and ground and test equipment for the South-Central African nation.
It also covers in-country field service support, quality inspections, flight verifications, logistics, maintenance, and proficiency sessions for the fleet’s future aircrews.
Upon arrival, Lusaka’s 412EP helicopters will be used for regional security, peacekeeping, disaster response, and other humanitarian missions over long-distance in complex weather conditions.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency noted in its press release that Zambia’s incoming fleet will support America’s foreign policy and national security objectives in South Central Africa while bolstering a partner nation that supports the region’s “political stability and economic progress.”
The agency added that the ordered capabilities would not significantly affect the basic military balance and would not have an adverse impact on US defense readiness in the region.
Bell Textron’s 412EP System
The 412EP helicopter measures 56 feet (17 meters) long and has a capacity for up to 13 people or about 6,600 pounds (2,994 kilograms) of payload.
It is powered by a 900 to 1,250-horsepower engine for speeds up to 140 knots (161 miles/259 kilometers per hour), a range of 530 nautical miles (610 miles/982 kilometers), and an altitude of 20,000 feet (6,096 meters).
Bell Textron’s 412 family of helicopters is employed in over 40 nations, including the US, Norway, Japan, and Guatemala.
