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| AH-1Z Viper (Left), UH-1Y Venom (Right) [Click Image to Enlarge] |
By: Pierre Tran
LE BOURGET, France — Bell Helicopter, a Textron unit, is keen to pitch to Australia in response to reported criticism of the Airbus Helicopters Tiger attack helicopter, said Richard Harris, vice president for international military sales.
“Sure it’s a market, you bet,” he told Defense News on the first day of the Paris Air Show, when asked if Bell would pursue an order from Australia.
Bell is also competing in two competitions in Europe, with the results expected within six months, assuming stable political factors, he said, while declining to disclose those countries.
Poland and the Czech Republic are reported to be holding tenders to acquire new helicopters, with the latter looking to order 12 light multi-role units.
Harris was confident the design of a sealed rotorhead on its AH-1Z attack and UH-1Y combat utility helicopters could overcome maintenance problems arising from sand and harsh conditions, such as that found in Australia.
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