Royal Moroccan Navy Expands Fleet with Second Bell 412EP Helicopter

The fleet of the Royal Moroccan Navy is about to expand. The receipt of a second unit of the versatile Bell 412EP helicopter is planned, which will contribute to increasing the level of combat readiness of the navy and extending the scope of its missions, including search and rescue operations, counter-terrorism and maritime surveillance, according to the FAR Maroc forum.

Designed by the American company Bell Textron Inc, the Bell 412EP is developed from the previous Bell 212 model, the main difference being the main rotor composed of four blades made of composite material. The helicopter stands out for its superior capabilities thanks to its two powerful engines and its four-bladed main rotor blades, which make it more stable and able to fly in various weather conditions.

The first test flight of the Bell 412 helicopter dates back to 1979. 1981 will mark the beginning of the first deliveries of the aircraft. The series of Bell 412 helicopters has been continuously developed to improve its performance and efficiency. There was the 412SP model, which offered greater fuel capacity, the 412HP model which brought improvements in transportation, and the remarkable 412EP model with its dual digital automatic control system, ensuring more precise and safe performance, as is the case for the helicopters used by Morocco.

In September, the U.S. Department of Defense gave the green light for the sale of 40 AGM-154C Joint Stand Off Weapons (JSOW) missiles to Morocco, which needs them to equip its fleet of F-16 aircraft. With a total cost of $250 million, the contract also includes a set of support services and equipment to ensure the effective integration of these weapons into the Moroccan armed forces.