Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) awarded Bell Helicopter Textron [TXT] a $123 million contract to provide the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) with seven Bell 412EPI helicopters, the company said on Friday.
The CCG will use the 412EPIs to support non-military activities of various government departments and agencies including the Department of National Defense, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Environment Canada, Bell said. The helicopter is to operate in all areas of Canada.
The contract was negotiated by PWGSC on behalf of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Denis Lebel, the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, signed the contract at a formal ceremony at Bell’s Canadian Assembly Center.
“The selection of the Bell 412EPI will help improve the CCG’s support capability to ensure the safety, security and environmental protection services to the fishing industry and all mariners. The CCG operates in some of the harshest flying conditions on the planet, so the performance capabilities of the aircraft are exactly what they need to support their operations,” Lebel said in a statement.
The contract award was in the context of the CCG’s Fleet Renewal Plan. The first helicopter is due in June 2016 with one of the seven remaining to be delivered every three months thereafter.
“We have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the Canadian Coast Guard, and have been proud to support the Bell 206 and Bell 212 aircraft in their current fleet. The Bell 412EPI will continue to not only support their current efforts, but provide them with the expanded capabilities, safety and flexibility to serve the people of Canada,” Raymond Leduc, president of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, said.
The Bell 412EPI was introduced in March 2013. It updates the 412EP platform with the Bell BasiX Pro™ fully integrated glass flight deck, the company said.
Bell highlighted that the system is optimized for IFR, Category A, and JAR OPS3 compliant operations. The avionics suite includes high resolution digital maps, electronic chats and approach plates, ADS-B transponder and optional HTAWS and XM satellite links. The 412EPI also uses an improved Pratt & Whitney [UTX] engine to provide 15 percent more horsepower than the standard 412 model.