Japan receives its first Bell UH-X helicopter

The Bell UH-X based on the Bell 412EXH helicopter for the Japan Ground Self Defense Force. Photo c/o Defence Blog.

The Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) received its first Bell UH-X utility helicopter om 4 March 2019, with serial number 45001 built under license by Subaru Corporation in Utsunomiya.
The same helicopter made its maiden flight on 21 December 2018, and will continue to undergo testing and evaluation before the unit it handed-over to training and operational units of the JGSDF.

The UH-X, which is still the pre-service designation of the JGSDF’s future utility helicopter to replace the Bell UH-1J Huey, was based on the Bell 412EPI with improvements to suit JGSDF requirements. Bell’s official designation on this variant will be the Bell 412EXH.

Up to 150 units are expected to be procured by the JGSDF. 



[1] Scramble Magazine
[2] Defence Blog