Bell Textron has launched a subsidiary in Ukraine to advance its planned sale of AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and UH-1Y Venom utility rotorcraft to the country’s armed forces.
Operating as Bell Textron Ukraine, the new unit will oversee in-country operations, including helicopter assembly, maintenance, and repair activities. The company also intends to establish a local office to manage industrial partnerships and coordination efforts.
The initiative builds on a letter of intent signed in October with Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy, Ecology, and Agriculture, outlining potential procurement and cooperation. Any purchase would be executed through the US Foreign Military Sales framework, subject to US government approval.
Given unit prices above $50 million for the Viper and around $30 million for the Venom, the overall program could exceed $1 billion, posing a notable financial challenge. Future steps would include localized production, assembly, and workforce training, with training programs expected to last about seven months.
The AH-1Z Viper is armed with a 20mm M197 cannon and six hardpoints capable of carrying diverse weaponry, including APKWS II rockets for counter-UAS roles, as well as AGM-114 Hellfire and AGM-179 JAGM missiles for engaging armored threats. It is also unique among helicopters for its fully integrated air-to-air missile capability.
The UH-1Y Venom will support the modernization of Ukraine’s aging helicopter fleet, which largely consists of Mi-8 and Mi-24 platforms, supplemented by older Western aircraft like the Super Puma. With an 8.4-tonne maximum takeoff weight, twin T700-GE-401C engines, a top speed of 315 km/h, a 600-kilometer range, and a 220-kilometer combat radius, the Venom offers improved performance and versatility.
Both helicopters are designed for joint operations, sharing around 85 percent of their components, which simplifies logistics and enhances mission efficiency.
