Bell Helicopter Textron [TXT] delivered the first of two Bell 429 helicopters to the Slovakian Police at a ceremony in the capital of Bratislava.
The rotorcraft are to be used mainly for border protection, search and rescue, natural disaster relief missions, and road traffic law enforcement, Bell said.
The company highlighted the Bell 429 includes a fully-integrated glass cockpit, advanced drive system, best-in-class WAAS navigation, and IFR capability. It also has the most cabin space of any light twin helicopter, seating for seven passengers and one flight crew/
“This is one of the most modern aircraft on the market, and it fulfills the increasingly demanding mission requirements of our police force” Robert Kalinak, deputy prime minister and a minister of interior, said during the ceremony.
“We are delighted to celebrate the delivery of the first of two aircraft at the Slovakian Ministry of Interior in Bratislava. Customers in Europe have shown great interest in the Bell 429 for law enforcement operation. Over a quarter of the Bell 429s in service across Europe today are flying parapublic missions, demonstrating the superior performance of the Bell 429,” Jakub Hoda, Bell Helicopter’s managing director for Europe and Russia, added.
Bell Helicopter has recently delivered 15 429 rotorcrafts to the Turkish National Police and four to the New York Police Department. The Swedish National Police is set to receive their first 429 helicopter later in 2015.