Australia retiring naval Bell 429, transitions to Airbus EC-135T2+ helicopters

A Bell 429 GlobalRanger helicopter of the Royal Australian Navy. Photo c/o Calum Gibson @ ADF Serials.

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is set to retire its fleet of three (3) Bell 429 GlobalRanger in the naval aviation training role, as it transitions to the new Airbus EC-135T2+ helicopter.

The helicopters are operated by the 723 Squadron of the RAN Fleet Air Arm since 2012, and were used to maintain and hone the skills of junior navy pilots before flying the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk and MRH-90 Taipan helicopters. 

The RAN Bell 429 made its last public appearance at the Australian International Airshow 2019 in Avalon, Victoria.

The helicopters were leased from Raytheon Australia under a US$26 million deal made in 2011. 



[1] Naval Today
[2] Jane’s Navy International
[3] Royal Australian Navy