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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PAF bolsters tactical heli-lift capability with 2 new Bell choppers

PAF bolsters tactical heli-lift capability with 2 new Bell choppers

Published May 20, 2026 02:23 pm

At A Glance

  • The Philippine Air Force (PAF) commissioned two new Bell 412EPX utility helicopters on Tuesday, May 19, during a ceremony at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, strengthening its rotary-wing fleet.
  • The aircraft arrived on February 27 and are the first of eight units being acquired from Bell Textron Inc., with full delivery expected by 2027.
  • They will be assigned to the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing, increasing the PAF's Bell 412 fleet to 16.
(L-R) Lt. Gen. Arthur M. Cordura, commanding general of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), and Major Gen. Moises L. Micor, commander of the Air Mobility Command, lead the ceremonial pouring of champagne on one of the two newly acquired Bell 412EPX helicopters on May 19, 2026 at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. (Photo: PAF)
(L-R) Lt. Gen. Arthur M. Cordura, commanding general of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), and Major Gen. Moises L. Micor, commander of the Air Mobility Command, lead the ceremonial pouring of champagne on one of the two newly acquired Bell 412EPX helicopters on May 19, 2026 at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. (Photo: PAF)
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) added fresh muscle to its rotary-wing fleet on Tuesday, May 19, after it formally commissioned two new Bell 412EPX utility helicopters during a ceremony at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
The two aircraft, which arrived in the country on Feb. 27, represent the first batch of an eight-unit acquisition project from Bell Textron Inc.
The units will join the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing, bringing the PAF’s total fleet of Bell 412 variants to 16.
“The arrival of these Bell 412EPX helicopters represents a clear and tangible investment in our ability to respond, to sustain, and to prevail,” said PAF Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Arthur M. Cordura.
The PAF said that the delivery of the remaining six helicopters under the contract will arrive by 2027.
“These aircraft will carry our troops into mission areas, bring relief to communities in times of disaster, and extend the reach of the PAF wherever it is needed most,” Cordura added.
The Air Force said that the new helicopters are designed for a variety of high-stakes missions.
Aside from tactical troop transport for counterinsurgency and internal security operations, the units are slated to lead the military’s humanitarian response efforts, serving as primary assets for medical evacuations and the delivery of critical logistics to geographically isolated and remote areas during typhoons and earthquakes.
According to the aircraft manufacturer, the Bell 412EPX is designed for demanding operations, including search and rescue, firefighting, and medical evacuation.
It has a maximum cruise speed of 123 knots or 228 kilometers per hour, and can fly up to 361 nautical miles and remain airborne for about 3.8 hours. Its maximum operating altitude reaches 20,000 feet or 6,096 meters.
In terms of weight capacity, the helicopter has a maximum internal gross weight of 12,200 pounds and an external gross weight of 13,000 pounds. It can carry a useful internal load of up to 5,385 pounds while its cargo hook can lift up to 5,000 pounds.
The helicopter accommodates a pilot and up to 14 passengers.

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Philippine Air Force Bell helicopters modernization
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