Morocco Plans Major Upgrade with 36 Bell-412 EPI Helicopters for Air Force

Morocco is preparing to strengthen and modernize its air force with the purchase of 36 multipurpose helicopters. These new acquisitions aim to renew the "aging" fleet of the Royal Air Force, indicates the Spanish site Defensa, specialized in military matters.

Initially, 24 Bell-412 EPI helicopters will be ordered from the American company Bell Textron Inc. The order for 12 more could follow later, for a total of 36 aircraft. The Bell-412 EPI helicopter is "an improved and modern version of the Bell-212, powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6T-9 Twin-Pac engines, providing 15% more power than the standard Bell-412 engine," the same source specifies.

To read: Morocco to Acquire 24 Boeing AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopters by 2024

The first order of 24 helicopters will be used to replace the aging Bell-205, Bell-206 and Bell-212 helicopters, which will be decommissioned, adds the Spanish media, explaining that the Bell-412 helicopters, of the latest generation, have a fully integrated Bell Basix Pro system with digital displays, as well as high-resolution digital maps, electronic charts and approach plates, an ADS-B transponder and optional HTAWS and XM satellite links.

Morocco currently has two Bell-412 EPI helicopters that would be intended for the Royal Navy, Defensa indicates. Those being acquired are still at the testing stage in the United States, before being put into service planned for next year.