Bell Textron has delivered a fully upgraded Bell 212 medium utility helicopter to the Royal Thai Navy, completing a major operational life extension effort for the service’s rotary-wing fleet. The modernization program was executed at Bell’s Asia Service Center in Singapore, where the aircraft received extensive refurbishments to improve reliability and mission readiness. Key enhancements focused on the helicopter’s fuel system, avionics suite, exterior paint, and several performance and safety upgrades.
To commemorate the completion of the project, Bell presented a custom crystal plaque to representatives of the Royal Thai Navy and the Royal Airport Service during the Defense & Security Exhibition in Bangkok. The ceremony highlighted Thailand’s continued investment in fleet sustainment as it expands the lifespan of legacy rotorcraft through structured modernization programs.
Originally introduced in 1968, the Bell 212 earned widespread use in roles including transport, aerial firefighting, law enforcement, and humanitarian operations. Over the span of its three-decade production run, Bell manufactured nearly 900 units, with the helicopter’s operational legacy carried forward through its more advanced successor, the twin-engine Bell 412. The 212 remains a trusted aircraft for many countries due to its reliability and multi-mission versatility.
The Bell 212 measures 57 feet (17 meters) in length with a 48-foot (15-meter) rotor diameter, operated by a two-person crew and capable of transporting up to 14 passengers. Powered by an 1,800-horsepower engine, the platform achieves speeds of 120 knots (222 km/h), a service ceiling of 17,400 feet, and a range of 230 nautical miles. Today it continues to serve in 20 military forces worldwide, supporting logistics, training, and humanitarian operations.
