Patria to Provide Key Modifications for Norwegian Bell 412 Helicopters.

Patria has been selected to provide essential design modifications for the Norwegian Armed Forces’ Bell 412 helicopters as part of a modernization program aimed at extending the operational life of the fleet. This selection follows the signing of a contract between the Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA) and Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services (KAMS), under which Patria will act as a subcontractor responsible for designing the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) required for the upgrades.
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The Bell 412 is a versatile multi-role helicopter with a four-blade rotor system (Picture source: Kongsberg)

The Bell 412 helicopters have served the Norwegian Armed Forces for 35 years, primarily supporting the Special Forces and the Army. The Norwegian government has decided to upgrade at least half of the 18 Bell 412 helicopters to ensure their operational availability for an additional 15 years, beyond 2025, when the modernization work is expected to be completed. This decision will allow the helicopters to exceed their initial 50-year operational lifespan while awaiting the arrival of new modern aircraft.

The Bell 412 is a versatile multi-role helicopter with a four-blade rotor system. It is equipped with both civil and military communication and navigation systems, capable of flying at speeds of up to 260 km/h and reaching altitudes of over 4,000 meters. Its operational capabilities include transporting up to 13 passengers or significant cargo, making it suitable for a variety of missions, including search and rescue, troop transport, and medical evacuation.

This decision was made against the recommendations of General Erik Kristoffersen, Chief of the Norwegian Armed Forces, who had suggested retiring the Bell 412 at the end of their operational lifecycle. However, Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram emphasized that these upgrades are part of a broader government strategy to maintain helicopter capacity during the transition period. “By upgrading the Bell 412, we now ensure helicopter readiness until the new helicopters are in place, so that the Armed Forces will have better operational capacity during this transition period,” Gram stated.

The first phase of the modernization, which has been agreed upon, will focus on updating the helicopters' civil communication and navigation systems. These upgrades will be designed and certified by Patria in close collaboration with NDMA and KAMS, ensuring that the fleet remains operational until the introduction of new helicopters.

KAMS CEO Andre Jægtvik highlighted the strategic role that industry partners like KAMS and Patria can play in supporting the Norwegian Armed Forces, stating that this modernization program will enhance the operational availability of the Bell 412 helicopters during this critical period.

Mikko Kilpeläinen, Senior Vice President for Partnerships at Patria, expressed that this contract not only supports the Bell 412 modernization program but also strengthens the operational partnership with KAMS and Patria’s expertise in helicopter modifications.

With an extended lifespan of 15 years, this decision ensures that Norway’s helicopter capability remains strong while plans for replacing the fleet with new modern helicopters are under development. The exact timeline for the new aircraft remains to be defined, but the extension of the Bell 412’s lifespan provides the Armed Forces with strategic flexibility during their transition to more modern technologies.