Bell's Bright Future in India's Helicopter Industry

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Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. company, is a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters around the globe. Bell has a reputation for excellence in customer service, innovation, and quality, and Bell supports customers in over 120 countries.

Bell has equipped Indian customers for over six decades. The iconic Bell 47 first visited India in 1956, transporting Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, and served as the Indian Armed Forces' initial trainer helicopter.

Since introducing the first helicopter to India in 1956, Bell's Indian fleet has grown from two aircraft in 1994 to over 85 currently. Today, Bell helicopters are featured prominently across multiple sectors in India, including tourism, corporate transport, emergency response, and government applications. Particularly widespread are the Bell 407 commercial helicopter and Bell 412, renowned for performance and cost-effectiveness.

The Indian commercial helicopter market outlook remains vibrant with Bell aircraft engaged in diverse national operations. Several high-potential sectors present expansion opportunities:

Emergency response demand arises from India's vast terrain and population. Bell helicopters like the Bell 429 and Bell 412 suit air ambulance, firefighting and search/rescue needs with speed, range and payload. The Bell 429 especially addresses Indian air ambulance needs with twin-engine power and a spacious cabin for medical crews and advanced life support equipment.

India's natural beauty and cultural attractions drive a booming tourism industry amenable to aerial sightseeing. Destinations in the Himalayas, Kerala and Rajasthan showcase India from the air. The Bell 505 offers panoramic views and spacious cabins ideal for helicopter tours.

Oil, gas and mining rely on helicopters to access remote worksites. Bell aircraft have a proven track record worldwide transporting crews and cargo in energy production via power, performance and high-altitude capability. Models like the Bell 412 and Bell 429 are go-to solutions.

As India's economy and middle class expand, emergency services, tourism, and energy sectors will surge in demand. Well-positioned to support this growth, Bell will provide high-quality, reliable helicopters and a leading global aftermarket support and service network augmented by Bell customer service and product support engineers across the globe.

Bell established operations in India in 1995 via a liaison office in New Delhi. Today, with over 130 employees across offices in New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai, Bell and Textron maintain a substantial India presence, with a local sales and aftermarket team to support our customers in India.

Eugene Tan

Singapore | Asia-Pacific
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About Bell

Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 85 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us.

We are pioneers. We were the first to break the sound barrier and to certify a commercial helicopter. We were a part of NASA’s first lunar mission and brought advanced tiltrotor systems to market. Today, we’re defining the future of advanced air mobility.

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours.

Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.

About Textron

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellations or deferrals of orders; our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of our products; volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; volatility in interest rates or foreign exchange rates; and risks related to our international business, including establishing and maintaining facilities in locations around the world and relying on joint venture partners, subcontractors, suppliers, representatives, consultants and other business partners in connection with international business, including in emerging market countries.

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