autoevolution 22 May 2021, 16:40 UTC ·
by 5 photos
Developed by Subaru together with Bell, this recent model is an upgraded version of the Bell 412 series. In 2019, Japan’s National Police Agency was the first to place an order for the new helicopter, which has now been delivered. According to an official statement, after a training period at the Subaru Aerospace Company’s Utsunomiya factory, it will begin its career with the Iwate Prefectural Police.
The project began in 2015, when Subaru was awarded a contract for developing a new UH-X utility helicopter for the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF). Then, a few years later, the Japanese company began working with Bell on the commercial upgrade of this prototype, known as the Bell 412EPX. Basically, the commercial version was developed in parallel with the military version.