The overhaul, carried out at Bell’s Asia Service Center in Singapore, covered refurbishments to the aircraft’s fuel system, avionics, and paint scheme, along with other improvements to boost performance, safety, and readiness.

Bell presented a custom crystal plaque to the Royal Thai Navy and the Royal Airport Service during a defense and security convention in Bangkok to mark the project’s completion.

“The Bell 212 has been a cornerstone of the [Royal Thai Navy] fleet for decades, supporting a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” said Chris Schaefer, vice president at Bell Global Customer Solutions.

“It was an honor to be entrusted by a valued partner in the [Royal Thai Navy] with the responsibility of supporting their aircraft and ensuring its continued success.”

The Bell 212

Bell Textron’s 212 system was introduced in 1968 for tasks such as aerial firefighting, transport, and law enforcement.

Nearly 900 units were produced over its three-decade production run, with the platform’s legacy continued by its modern twin-engine iteration, the Bell 412.

A 212 measures 57 feet (17 meters) in length and has a rotor diameter of 48 feet (15 meters). It is operated by a two-man crew and offers seating capacity for up to 14 passengers.

The helicopter, equipped with a 1,800-horsepower engine, has a maximum flight speed of 120 knots (138 miles/222 kilometers per hour), a service ceiling of 17,400 feet (5,304 meters), and a range of about 230 nautical miles (265 miles/426 kilometer).

A total of 20 international militaries employ the Bell 212, mostly for training, logistics, and humanitarian missions.

By Rojoef Manuel