Seoul, South Korea – June 25, 2025 – Bell Textron Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Inc, has completed the delivery of 40 Bell 505 helicopters to the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) and the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN). This milestone marks the fulfillment of a contract signed in May 2022 with South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
With this delivery, the Republic of Korea Armed Forces joins a growing list of global defense organizations using the Bell 505 as a rotary-wing training platform. Other government operators include the Indonesian Navy, Jamaican Air Force, Japan Coast Guard, Armed Forces of Montenegro, Iraqi Army Aviation Command, and the Royal Jordanian Air Force.
The Bell 505 stands out in its category for advanced performance and safety features. Powered by the Safran Arrius 2R engine and equipped with a dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system, the aircraft also incorporates the Garmin G1000H NXi avionics suite. The helicopter’s open cabin layout, glass cockpit, expansive wraparound windows, and integrated Synthetic Vision system significantly enhance pilot situational awareness and operational effectiveness.
Since entering service in 2017, more than 500 Bell 505 units have been delivered globally. These aircraft have collectively logged over 100,000 flight hours, underscoring their reliability and wide acceptance in both civil and military aviation sectors.
Photo Jeroen Vogelaar
